Nigeria, And The Rise Of “Emerging Young Art Masters”

Artist Profile of Oluwafemi Akanmu: (Part 1 of 2)

The magnificent lineup of artists presented at Art Basel Miami Beach 2025 showcased some of the most celebrated art from around the world.

Yet, beyond the main galleries of Basel global Art Fairs and satellite exhibitions lies a rise, a new spiritual art movement being led by a distinct class of “Young Emerging Contemporary Art Masters” from the Continent of Africa.

Their complete body of works have yet to be fully discovered.

The talent and phenomenal works of these young masters, (ages 16 – 30), represents the extraordinary range of creative expressions on the contemporary African art scene today.

The volume of their talent is mind blowing.

The rise of these young art masters is astounding. The range and depth of their creativity rises out of and mirrors the vastness and richness of the African Continent.

The magnificence of their work is undeniable. Their work is a nod, an honor, an acceptance with gratitude, of the extraordinary gift that has been given to them as artists. A gift that they must steward well. Each work of art is a medium of expression that stands on its own. Yet there is a powerful collective rhythmic pattern, a flow of cultural consciousness that can be seen in all of their work.

This rhythm manifests through their art as if each hand movement of the artist is being guided by an internal spiritual force.

Oluwafemi Akanmu

A Young Contemporary Nigerian Art Master

Like many other art works created by these Young Emerging Contemporary African Art Masters, the raw vulnerability and brilliance of Oluwafemi Akanmu’s work caught my attention. The soulfulness of his creativity and range of illustration is breathtaking.

He skillfully and effortlessly curates artwork that captures the essence of the African spirit through intricate details which can be seen in his paintings.

His work is detailed and remarkable for such a young artist.

His capacity to illustrate the depth of emotions and layered complexities of the human body speaks to the scale of his talent in multi-dimensional and immersive spaces.

To understand the rise of these Young Contemporary Nigerian Art Masters, like Akanmu, we must first consider the richness of his Nigerian heritage that has given artists like him cultural power, and spiritual roots to organically produce such remarkable works of art.

 Africa is one of the richest continents in the world. Nigeria, like many other African nations, is rich in oil, minerals and other natural resources. Like other African nations, Nigeria is also rich in artistic innovation and global cultural contribution.

Nigeria has brought to the world some of the most valuable and masterful works of art through artists such as Ben Enwonwu, Njideka Akunyili Crosby, Uche Okeke, and others.

The Phenomenal African creative powerhouse manifesting in the young art masters of today, was also seen in the works of renowned Nigerian art masters of the past.

The power, talent and artistic force that is driving these artists and contributing to the global demand for contemporary Nigerian art is created by the magnitude of Nigeria’s global leadership, philosophical contributions, business acumen, educational achievement and steep creative heritage. It is a spiritual force gifted through the ancestors. That spiritual force continues to be refined and carried forward into each generation of emerging artists.

Oluwafemi Akanmu, started his artistic journey as a young child. Today he stands amongst a rising generation of young African artists redefining the cultural global art movement and landscape. His work is characterized by vibrant fusions of traditional motifs and contemporary expression, it offers a profound commentary on modern African identity.

Akanmu’s art is a testament to his talent, where he has mastered the skill of seamlessly blending evocative storytelling with bold aesthetic choices that captivate and challenge audiences to participate in an immersive African cultural experience.

This year, Akanmu was invited to exhibit his work at Art Basel Miami Beach 2025, one of the world’s most prestigious art fairs. The invitation to exhibit his work at such a world renowned event was an honor that signals his growing significance within the contemporary global art scene.

Throughout my conversations with Akanmu. I was taken aback by his humility considering the growing interest in his work. As a young emerging artist, he seems to have a deep understanding of the connection between his cultural rhythms, spiritual alignment and his internal creative process.

He considers art to be more than a cultural artifact, to him, “art is a spiritual language.”

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A Conversation with Artist Aluwafemi Akanmu, (Part 1 of 2)

What spiritual practice do you follow and how does it influence your work or your process?

My spiritual practice is rooted in reflection, prayer, and staying connected to my inner self. I take quiet moments before creating just to breathe, listen, and centre my mind. This helps me approach the canvas with clarity and honesty. My faith and spirituality influence my work by giving it depth and intention. They guide my themes, the emotional tone of my pieces, and the sense of hope, resilience, and transformation that runs through my art. For me, creating is not just a physical act; it’s a spiritual conversation.

What part of your Nigerian heritage can be seen in your work?

A big part of my Nigerian heritage shows up in the themes, symbols, and emotional tone of my work. You can see it in the emphasis on identity, resilience, spirituality, and community values deeply rooted in Nigerian life. The minimalist figures, earthy tones, and layered storytelling also reflect the way Nigerian culture holds memory, faith, and personal journeys together. My work carries the spirit of our people, our strength, our stories, and the way we turn challenges into beauty.

How does the soul of Africa show in your work?

The soul of Africa shows in my work through the depth of emotion, spirituality, and storytelling that underlies each piece. African life is layered, filled with history, resilience, rhythm, and a strong connection to the unseen and those qualities naturally flow into my art.

The connection is in the way I portray human journeys: the quiet strength, the search for meaning, the cultural memory we carry, and the spiritual energy that guides us. My figures, symbols, and textures all echo that African essence: honest, grounded, and deeply connected to something bigger than the visible world.

What artist past or present do you admire the most?

Ben Enwonwu

As an emerging artist from Nigeria, what about Nigerian life and cultural journey has influenced you the most and frames the inspiration for your work?

The soul of Africa shows in my work through the depth of emotion, spirituality, and storytelling that underlies each piece. African life is layered, filled with history, resilience, rhythm, and a strong connection to the unseen and those qualities naturally flow into my art.

What are you visualizing for today and tomorrow?

To create art that awakens emotion, inspires reflection, and brings people into deeper connection with themselves and the world.

Read more on Artist Presentation 2. The conversation continues…

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“Museums of primitive art are filled with masks, figurines, bas-relief sculptures, all looted from all over the world and robbed of their meanings. For those who created them, life resided not in the object itself, but rather in the spirit that inspired it….

”Quotes tagged as “colonial-theft”

“As the global art world continues to turn its attention toward Africa—one of the richest cultural landscapes on Earth—artists like Oluwafemi Akanmu will represent the continent’s enduring contribution to humanity, and artistic innovation. With his rising visibility, distinctive style, and remarkable mastery, Akanmu is poised to become one of the most sought-after talents of his generation.