Paintings by UK Artist Adjani Okpu-Egbe Widely Hailed As Inspirational, Castigating The Taboo

June 1, 2011
DUNIA Contributor
Posted in Art & Photography

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Photo courtesy Adjani’s Facebook page

We have been afforded the privilege of peeking into the private world of one of the most talked about young artists to emerge onto the London art world in recent times.

Adjani Klinsmann’s art has been widely hailed as inspirational by art connoisseurs and critics alike. He credits his talent and rise to fame to an incredible life journey that has taken him from the foot of the Lake Barombi crater in Cameroon, to the vibrant city that is London.

Adjani’s drive and singularity of mind are the two things that stand out most about him. “I don’t like limitations,” he says. “Everything is a source of inspiration”. With a casual wave of the hand, he goes on to add, “I draw inspiration from the environment, culture, politics, religion, African tradition, anything that captures my interest.”

Adjani has been critically acclaimed for his pioneering use of hand-made strings in his paintings. His Crucifix Series has wowed the London art scene with his clever use of string on canvas. When I probe him about this, he replies modestly, “I use string and strong primary colours to portray originality and give my work a unique and striking appearance”.

We quickly learn there’s another side to Adjani, another purpose to his art. “Painting is my raison d’être, and my ultimate purpose is to educate, sensitize, assist, and inspire people all over the world through my art. I firmly believe he who dares wins”.

And that is the consistent message that we get as he shows us around his studio full of spell-binding paintings.

Adjani is currently exhibiting at the “Untitled” exhibition from 3rd – 5th of June 2011 at the Old Chelsea Town Hall, Kings Road, Chelsea, London. More of Adjani’s paintings can be seen at upcoming international exhibitions: “Art in Mind” from 19th July – 1st August 2011, at the Brick Lane Gallery, Brick Lane, London; “The Spirit of Art” from 17th – 27th August, at the Royal Opera Arcade Gallery, Trafalgar Square, London.

Adjani’s much anticipated solo exhibition will hold at the Royal Opera Arcade Gallery at a yet to be confirmed date in October. The exhibition coincides with the release and book signing of his book, “The Therapeutic Magic of Arts”. Adjani’s inspirational auto-biography, available in both paper and hardback, will also be out soon.