Conversations about non-fungible tokens (NFTs) across the world are inevitable these days and Nigeria is at the forefront Of these conversations. So far, Nigeria is the 6th largest adopter of NFTs, according to a survey by Finder which also hints that NFT adoption will soon double across Africa.
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The innovation of NFTs has revolutionized the world of art and redefined the creative economy as Digital arts are now becoming more visible thanks to NFTs. NFTs make use of blockchain but issue a digital certificate of ownership to buyers to show authentication of what has been bought. Several Nigerian musicians such as BNXN, Falz, Leriq, Oxlade, and Rema are fast adopting the use of NFTs. Here are Nigerian artists pioneering the shift into the NFT space.
His first crypto art was created in 2017. His creative signature style borders on using neon colours placed against dark skin tones and revolves around male subjects, which altogether cover the human experience.
In 2018, he became the first Nigerian to showcase his work at New York’s Ethereal blockchain summit and he was also a finalist for the Bridgeman Studio Award in 2019. Osinachihas negotiated several transactions on SuperRare, an NFT marketplace where Two of his works “Mirror Mirror” and “Am I Pretty?” were sold for 9ETH ($38, 437) and 13.2ETH ($56,375) respectively. His pieces have done so well in the crypto art market that he has become the first African artist to show his NFT series at Christie’s, a foremost auction house in London.
Owo Anietie
Born and bred in Akwa Ibom, Owo is a 3D artist and creator of Afrodroids, a 12k Profile picture NFT project that tells the story of human existence through the African lens. Drawing inspiration from everyday people, culture, and history, his work is a combination of 3D, motion design, and traditional paintings, mostly landscapes.
Oyindamola Oyekemi Oyewumi
She Creates portraits using ballpoint pens. She was swept into the NFT jackpot when she tweeted her drawing of Ethereum co-founder Charles Hoskinson. Hoskinson noticed the tweet and helped her put it up for sale. At the end of the month, it was sold for $6,300. Since then, she has been attempting to cultivate an NFT footprint by minting other works on Mintable. She has sharpened her skills, churning out monotone and coloured artworks that often depict women and children. Oyindamola represents a promising chance for Nigerian female artists in the NFT space.
Uzodimma Akunna Maryjane
She is a 2D digital artist and illustrator based in Lagos, Nigeria. She interprets her art as expressional and enjoys creating art that revolves around the black African culture. Her art revolves predominantly around black African women and she showcases their beauty through their hair and jewellery. She discovered NFT in 2021 through a friend and after researching it, she eventually decided to get into the NFT space. She launched her first collection titled“Genesis”, which talked about black African females in unique ways and it was sold out in less than 2 days. Her second collection called “Her crown” on Twitter which highlighted black African womens’ hair gained traction on social media before it was officially listed on OpenSea. She uploaded a collection of her work which are 43 in number. Twitter purchased one and the rest was eventually sold out.
Anthony Azekwoh
Anthony Azekwoh’s artwork was first seen circulating on Twitter. There was a portrait of a looming man with a cigarette dangling from his mouth. The piece, titled “The Red Man,” was later sold on the NFT platform Charged Particles, marking his entry point into the metaverse. He has designed album covers for Nigerian artists like Adekunle Gold, Blaqbonez, and ShowDemCamp.After finding himself in the NFT space, he decided to use a portion of his NFTs earnings to help young, emerging artists with a fund of 200, 000 Naira.
Niyi Okeowo
Niyi created a digital painting of French music duo Daft Punk in the wake of their split and sold it for 1 ETH ($1,900) on the NFT marketplace Rarible. He then joined SuperRare to push other digital creations. His creative career juggles graphic design, photography, 3D animation, and art direction. In 2018, Niyi undertook a collection of visuals titled “Hello Mr. Colour” which explored themes of Afrofuturism, isolation, anxiety, exploration, and geometric structures. His creations are rewriting the Nigerian experience through his unique skilful lens.
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