Victor Ehikhamenor
Hypnotic Lover.
About:
Victor Ehikhamenor is a Nigerian visual artist, photographer and writer. He was born in Udomi-Uwessan, Edo State. He has a BA degree in English and Literary Studies from Ambrose Ali University. He also holds an MS in Technology Management and MFA in Creative Writing from University Of Maryland, College Park, USA.
Untitled.
Ehikhamenor has been prolific in producing abstract, symbolic and politically motivated works with unmistakable ties to his old Benin Kingdom background. His works are influenced by the duality of African traditional religion and the interception of Western beliefs, memories and nostalgia. His symbols and motifs are reminiscent of his childhood village shrines art drawn by women. He has had numerous exhibitions with a strong following in Nigeria, United States and Europe.
Victor’s early consumption of western art was from books and this gave him what he calls “a western formatting of visual art”, while his knowledge of the wider African visual tradition was reflected back to him through the work of Picasso, Rothko and the 1980s graffiti artist Keith Haring.
“Although I can do conceptual, installation work, the whole process of art making, using your hands, is central.”
Child of the Sky.
As a writer, he has published numerous fiction and critical essays with academic journals, mainstream magazines and newspapers from around the world including: New York Times, CNN Online, Washington Post, Farafina, AGNI Magazine and Wasafiri Magazine. His art and photographs have been used for editorials as well as book covers by award winning authors like Chimanmada Adichie, Helon Habila and Chika Unigwe. His book ‘EXCUSE ME!’ — a satirical creative non-fiction view of life as an African both at home and abroad is a recommended text in two Nigerian universities. (quotes Gallery of African Art site)
Flight out of Eden.
Ehikhamenor maintains a studio in Lagos, Nigeria and Maryland, United States.