Otobong Nkanga (Born in Kano, Nigeria) performer and Visual Artist
Otobong Nkanga works in a broad spectrum of media, including performance, installations, photography, drawing and sculpture. According to Nkanga, the various media she employs “interrogate our mental and physical identities in varied environments and contexts.” Thus taking inspiration from her surroundings, especially architecture, the artist creates work that can be placed in varied environments and are often fragments of a multimedia work in progress.

Her work is a result of observation and sensations of the everyday influences in our social developments/changes in our environment and culture. ” In my pluri-disciplinary approach, the individual is constantly confronted with its own fragility. It puts forward personal autobiographical elements which accentuates and exposes the frailty and instability of man in its environment. “

Nkanga began her art studies at the Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile-Ife, Nigeria, and later continued in Paris at the Ecole Nationale Superieure des Beaux-Arts. She has been an artist-in-residence at the Rijksakademie van beeldende kunsten in Amsterdam and has finished her Masters Program at Dasarts, Amsterdam.

Aurelien Rakotomanga also known as LTR is a 28 year old graphic designer from Madagascar. This malagasy (that’s right – one who hails from Madagascar) works as an art director, graphic designer and photographer. LTR has been passionate about graphic art since childhood and believes he inhereited this passion from his grandmother who was a painter. LTR is an avid artist, completing his degree in Visual Arts from the University of Paris, where he specialized in computer graphics and web design. He also loves to experiment with digital film, vector art and illustration. Check out his portfolio.

Colwyn Thomas is a South African Illustrator from Durban. Colwyn is behind the design studio Stone The Crows. Colwyn’s illustrations are haunting and beautiful with a cool palette that bring the illustrations to  life.

I like to think of my work as a blend of classic and new art forms. I’m particularly influenced by Schiele and Hasui in the classical department, and by comics, graphic novels, Disney and the work of certain Japanese animators in the modern era. I try to balance my work between commissions and exhibitions.

Yvonne Muinde is a painter and matte painter currently residing in Wellington, New Zealand. Her work mainly focuses on the challenge, truth and evolution. Born in Nairobi, Kenya, she begun her career at age ten painting murals on her bedroom wall. Since then she attended the Savannah College of Art in Georgia and completed her bachelor of Fine Arts degree in San Francisco. She then begun working as a commercial mural painter and discovered the world of public art.

Her projects attempt to showcase her identity as an artist, painter, woman and African. Her artwork reflects her experiences and travels around the world.  In 2004 Yvonne begun her successful career as a matte painter, painting backgrounds in multiple films such as Avatar, The Lovely Bones, Happy Feet, Jumper, Narnia Prince Caspian, Fantastic Four and Star Wars Revenge of the Sith.

Olusola Akinseye is a Nigerian illustrator whose work has been published in several storybooks, textbooks, periodicals and calenders. He has extensively worked in the children educational publishing industry. In 2007, Olusola was shortlisted for the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award and won the Macmillan, Illustrator Award for Africa in 2008.  Olusola’s work is versatile and vibrant bringing a much needed perspective to vector graphics and illustration. ” Creativity is not just ‘work’ for me, it’s life. And I love it!”

The growth of ICT industry in Africa can be directly linked to the massive amount of creativity that is coming out of Africa. In anticipation of what lies ahead in 2010 we wanted to present to you a lists of African Digital Artists to watch for. These artists represent a huge variety of styles and creative approaches as well as a trend of producing great artwork. We are keen to see what they come up with and value their contribution to modern approaches to African Art.

Disturbance – South Africa

Disturbance is a graphic design studio based in Durban, South Africa and one of the continent’s leading design practices. disturbance’s work has been recognised both locally (Loeries awards) and internationally (D&AD, ADC, One Show, Comm Arts, Society of Illustrators). Over the last decade disturbance has variously won awards for their clients, published a ‘zine, released a music CD, designed and operated a restaurant, a gallery and a design store and launched (and collapsed) the much hyped design brand, “Home Industries”.”

 

Jim Chuchu – Kenya

Apart from being a photographer, Jim Chuchu is a digital artist extraordinaire. His portfolio includes an impressive series of digital photography, animation, audio visual production and even inventions. Chuchu was featured in Afrigadget for his innovative creation of his own lighting equipment built with simple materials and components.

What is remarkable about Chuchu is his ability to produce exceptional pieces of digital art, whether it be animations, music videos, photography exhibitions or design concepts. A member of Just A Band, Chuchu also combines his prowess over digital art on to music.

 

Younes Badi – Morocco

Younes Badi is a young graphic designer from Rabat. He is studying graphic design at a local design university and his portfolio is full of promise.

 

One Horse Town – South Africa

One Horse Town is a Cape Town based Illustration Collective comprising of Justin Poulter and Simon Berndt. This South African studio produces creative illustration with a retro look and feel. Their incredible illustration inspire other African illustrators and they consistenly come out with great projects. Can’t wait to see what they have in 2010.

 

Karen McDade – South Africa

Karen specializes in designing online and print media. She has a passion for photo manipulation and loves experimenting with new techniques. Much of her artwork is influenced by her ’surreal and fantasy-esque’ style.

 

Younes Ze – Algeria

2009 was definetly a good year for Younes Ze his portoflio really came to prominence in many design blogs this past year. Younes continues to blow our minds with colorful and expressive photomanipulations. A cutting edge artist he is the one to watch for the latest design trends.

 

Sindiso Nyoni – Zimbabwe

Sindiso Nyoni is an award winning Zimbabwean designer/ illustrator who combines traditional and digital media to create his own subversive style called Guerill(art). His influences include social activism, indie films and graphic novels- “all combine to create a uniquely African street style with an international, cosmopolitan feel”.

 

Niyi Okeowo – Nigeria

Niyi Okeowo hails from Lagos Nigeria. One thing can be said about him, he loves to experiment trying various digital techniques. We are definetly looking forward to seeing which direction Niyi takes his work.

 

Ahmed Othman – Egypt

Ahmed Othman is a young graphic designer from Cairo, Egypt. His portfolio includes his projects in graphic design, photography, and Photomanipulation. He is a bright and dynamic talent, creating extremely vivid artwork.

 

Kenneth  Shofela Coker – Nigeria

Born in Lagos, Nigeria Kenneth Shofela Coker, is a multi-talented digital artist. As a recent graduate from Memphis College of Art,  this Magna Cum Laude graduate has an impressive portfolio ranging from 3d character modeling, illustration and animation. This young artists hopes to burst into the animation and gaming industry and his work speaks for itself. His recent projects can be seen on his website. This digital artist is packing a lot of talent.

 

Govan Basson is a Art Director/Graphic Artist specializing in the Graphic Arts – Graphic Design, Digital Illustration, Photo-Manipulation & Photography. He is also a Web Designer, 3D renderer and Street Artist. He graduated from The CapePeninsula University of Technology – Cape Town 2006. See his online galleries: Flickr.com, Deviantart.com, or Chat on Twitter and Facebook. Network and find him on our community.

For your design inspiration we are pleased to feature this incredible artist from Brazil. Ananda Nahu is a Brazilian graffiti artist that creates these amazing graffiti murals. Ananda mainly portrays strong colorful afrocentric portraits of Afro Women that leave you breathless and inspired. For more check out her portfolio.

Mkuki Bgoya is a Tanzanian designer and owner of Kina Klothing. Kina Klothing is an exciting East African apparel brand that is internationally recognized. We recommend that you grab as many of these awesome tees as possible. Mkuki has a background in Design and Branding, a graduate of Texas A&M University. He has won several design awards and recently launched his own branding and design company Spearhead. A member of our community, Mkuki brings simplicity and style to African digital art.

This week’s feature artist is Adisa Abeba who currently resides in Tema, Ghana. Her work is not only beautiful but powerful and intriguing. Adisa Abeba, also known as Olga Lolo, is a passionate musician, photographer and illustrator. Without much further ado we present some of her pieces. For more please visit her portfolio.