Nigerian artist Marcellina Akpojotor has gained international recognition for her portraits, which explore themes of family, femininity, and female empowerment in contemporary African society. She uses multiple layers and materials to add texture to her works.
Nigerian artist Marcellina Akpojotor has gained international recognition for her portraits, which explore themes of family, femininity, and female empowerment in contemporary African society. She uses multiple layers and materials to add texture to her works.
Marcellina Akpojotor
Her latest exhibition, "Ode to Beautiful Memories," tells a deeper story of her family through the years. "Songs of Home" shows her female family members across five generations. <em>Songs of Home, Fabric, Paper & Acrylic on Canvas, 2021.</em>
Her latest exhibition, "Ode to Beautiful Memories," tells a deeper story of her family through the years. "Songs of Home" shows her female family members across five generations. Songs of Home, Fabric, Paper & Acrylic on Canvas, 2021.
Marcellina Akpojotor
This work pays tribute to Akpojotor's great-grandmother, who was a cassava farmer and always dreamed of the education she was denied. <em>Dreams in Bobozi Farm III, Fabric, Paper & Acrylic on Canvas, 2021.</em>
This work pays tribute to Akpojotor's great-grandmother, who was a cassava farmer and always dreamed of the education she was denied. Dreams in Bobozi Farm III, Fabric, Paper & Acrylic on Canvas, 2021.
Marcellina Akpojotor
Aspects of her great-grandmother's life have been incorporated into Akpojotor's work, such as the red-brown color of the earth found in the region she came from. <em>Blooming Red Soil, Fabric, Paper & Acrylic on canvas, 2020.</em>
Aspects of her great-grandmother's life have been incorporated into Akpojotor's work, such as the red-brown color of the earth found in the region she came from. Blooming Red Soil, Fabric, Paper & Acrylic on canvas, 2020.
Marcellina Akpojotor
Akpojotor's work traces education from her great-grandmother's era until today. According to the UN, 18.5 million children in Nigeria, mostly girls, do not have access to education. <em>Quest for Education (Ode to Beautiful Memories), Fabric, Charcoal and Ink on paper & Acrylic on Canvas, 2020.</em>
Akpojotor's work traces education from her great-grandmother's era until today. According to the UN, 18.5 million children in Nigeria, mostly girls, do not have access to education. Quest for Education (Ode to Beautiful Memories), Fabric, Charcoal and Ink on paper & Acrylic on Canvas, 2020.
Marcellina Akpojotor
For her abstract portraits, Akpojotor works exclusively with traditional acrylics and discarded Ankara fabric collected from local fashion houses. <em>Dede I, Fabric & Acrylic on Canvas, 2020.</em>
For her abstract portraits, Akpojotor works exclusively with traditional acrylics and discarded Ankara fabric collected from local fashion houses. Dede I, Fabric & Acrylic on Canvas, 2020.
Marcellina Akpojotor
Introduced to Africa in the 19th century by Dutch merchants, the fabric is now found in homes across the continent. <em>Dreams in Bobozi Farm, Fabric, Paper & Acrylic on Canvas, 2020.</em>
Introduced to Africa in the 19th century by Dutch merchants, the fabric is now found in homes across the continent. Dreams in Bobozi Farm, Fabric, Paper & Acrylic on Canvas, 2020.
Marcellina Akpojotor
Akpojotor studied art at Lagos State Polytechnic, as did her father. <em>Daughter of Esan (fifth generation), 2018.</em>
Akpojotor studied art at Lagos State Polytechnic, as did her father. Daughter of Esan (fifth generation), 2018.
Marcellina Akpojotor
"I want people to be inspired to look at their lives and the lives of other people around them," Akpojotor said of her work. <em>Daughter of Esan (first generation), 2018.</em>
"I want people to be inspired to look at their lives and the lives of other people around them," Akpojotor said of her work. Daughter of Esan (first generation), 2018.
Marcellina Akpojotor