Paul Ayihawu

"For Paul Ayihawu, art is an extension of breath - a visual language through which his deepest emotions find space and form. In his practice, he explores the human form as a vessel for psychological depth, capturing fleeting emotional states and posing a quiet, insistent question:
How do we feel a sense of belonging in a world that continuously tells us we are not enough?

Paul is drawn to the overlooked - the familiar rhythms of neighbourhood life, the unspoken beauty in mundane gestures, and the joyful chaos of local exuberance. These everyday scenes evoke in him a profound sense of nostalgia, where memory is preserved not in grand narratives but in fragments of lived experience.

He works primarily with charcoal and acrylic, favouring the delicacy of flesh tones rendered in charcoal, while surrounding elements are brought to life with vibrant colour. His figures often inhabit abstract, feathered backgrounds - imagined spaces that echo ancestral memory and cultural dreamscapes.

Paul’s art is both meditation and activism. His work stands as a personal yet political gesture - a quiet form of resistance and reclamation, challenging dominant narratives while affirming the layered, evolving truth of African identity."

MEET

Paul Ayihawu

Based in Nigeria, contemporary African artist Paul Ayihawu delicately weaves charcoal and acrylic into quiet yet powerful narratives that reimagine the story of Africa through a new lens - one that honours both memory and transformation.

His practice is anchored in the exploration of socio-cultural tensions and the enduring impact of colonial histories on African identity, values, and self-perception. Through a series of evocative portraitures - often flipped in perspective - Paul presents Black figures dressed in a poetic fusion of Western garments and traditional African textiles, most notably ankara, symbolising the layered complexity of cultural hybridity.

Paul is driven by an unwavering desire to give voice to the silenced - to tell the untold, to draw attention to the unheard and the invisible within the Black experience. His work resides in private collections across the USA, South Africa, Ghana, and Nigeria, speaking across borders in a language that is both intimate and universal.

FROM OUR BLOGUE

Beyond Price: Understanding the Value of Contemporary African Art

The growing global interest in African contemporary art reflects a complex process of valuation that involves cultural legitimacy, institutional presence, and artistic integrity. Understanding its value requires seeing it not just as a market commodity, but as a cultural and political force.

Met Gala 2025: The Global Celebration of Black Style through African Art Influences

With the theme Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, the 2025 Met Gala spotlighted Black dandyism as both fashion and resistance. From Afro-inspired silhouettes to rich African textiles, the event highlighted the profound influence of African aesthetics in contemporary fashion and cultural storytelling.

Koyo Kouoh (1967–2025): A Visionary Curator Who Redefined Contemporary African Art

Koyo Kouoh (1967–2025) was a pioneering force in contemporary African art. As founder of RAW Material Company and director of Zeitz MOCAA, she championed African voices, redefined curatorial practices, and became the first African woman appointed to curate the Venice Biennale. Her legacy continues to shape the global art world.

Afro Renaissance: A Celebration of African Identity, Memory and Future in Luanda

Afro Renaissance, a collaborative exhibition by Afrikanizm Art and Face Studio, brought together a diverse group of contemporary African artists in Angola to explore the reimagining of African identity and heritage through bold, multidisciplinary works. Curated by Alexandra Martins, the exhibition was supported by a wide range of institutional partners and sponsors committed to cultural development on the continent.

Reading the Moment: Current Trends in the African Art Market

From record-breaking auction sales to a surge in international exhibitions and institutional partnerships, the African art market is experiencing transformative growth. Driven by younger collectors, cross-continental collaborations, and strong diaspora engagement, African art is not only gaining visibility — it's reshaping the global art conversation.

Romulo de Santa Rita and Fidelidade Angola Honour Indigenous Women in ‘Brands With Art’ Collaboration

Fidelidade Angola celebrates its expansion into 18 provinces through a meaningful partnership with contemporary artist Romulo de Santa Rita. His collection Mulheres Indígenas pays tribute to the strength and identity of Angola’s indigenous women, combining nostalgic aesthetics with a call for cultural justice and recognition.

Threads of the Motherland: ASO’s Annual Fashion Show Celebrates African Culture at Binghamton University

On April 25, 2025, Binghamton University's African Student Organization held its annual fashion show Threads of the Motherland: Genesis de L’Afrique, celebrating Africa’s diverse heritage through fashion, music, and dance, with five thematic scenes highlighting the continent’s traditions and modern influence.

Amadeo Carvalho’s “In the Body, the Word”: Where Portrait Becomes Protest

More than a series of portraits, Amadeo Carvalho’s exclusive collection In The Body, The Word – Voices That Become Image is a radical inscription of Black presence and history. Emerging from the series THE BLACKNESS IN ME STAINS II, these works fuse poetry, memory and resistance into powerful visual testimonies.

View All

Commision An Artwork
By This Artist

We can arrange and oversee the creation of a new work made specifically for you

Learn More

Enquire

Nigeria

FROM OUR BLOGUE

FOR BUYERS

FOR BUYERS

FOR ARTISTS

FOR ARTISTS

ABOUT US

ABOUT US

PAYMENT METHODS

PAYMENT METHODS