Subtly Stentorian

Bella Mfon Essien is a dynamic self-taught Visual Artist based in Abuja, Nigeria, with over half a decade of vibrant experience. Known for her bold use of acrylics and textures, Bella has captivated audiences with her ability to transform emotions into powerful visual narratives. Her work has been celebrated for its therapeutic qualities, offering a space for reflection and connection. 

Bella’s art explores the interplay of light and darkness, mental well- being, and the everyday challenges we all face. Her mission is to create relatable and uplifting art that inspires viewers to embrace life’s beauty and complexity. She hopes those who encounter her creations are encouraged to explore their inner worlds and harness their unique radiance.

BIO

Maryam Umar Maigida, Visual Artist, Freelance Painter and an Art Historian, obtained her degree in Fine Arts Major (Art History) from Ahmadu Bello University Zaria School of Arts. She founded The Art Cave Studio & Gallery and is also a member of the Female Artists Association of Nigeria (FEAN). 

Maryam’s style of painting ranges from mixed media, near naturalism and abstracts. With emphasis on culturally inclined fabrics, motifs and materials in a form or preserving tradition, Maryam has recently developed a new style of using ball like fabrics which serve different meanings in her paintings. She calls them “the chandeliers “Most of her paintings are characterized by women with elongated necks, exaggerated earrings and African Motifs.

BIO

Odama Paulcy is an Abuja based self-taught artist who is trained as a medical professional, with a degree from the Zaporozhye State Medical University, Ukraine, and five years of practice. She found her way back to her true passion – art and her transformation from an award-winning doctor to a talented artist reflects the power of self-discovery and the healing potential of creative expression. 

Paulcy’s art delves deep into the human experience, offering a window into stories of love, death, and sacrifice. Her work explores the profound impact of choices we make in life, as well as those made for us by the natural order of the world. Her art invites viewers to engage with her inner world, to contemplate the complexities of existence, and to find meaning in the intricate dance of choices and fate.

BIO

Faith Omole is a self-taught visual artist based in Nigeria, whose works are dedicated to unearthing the forgotten gems of African history. She owes her keen sense of details to her Bachelor’s Degree in Microbiology from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria and gained recognition in the international art community, participating in the Creative Reaction Lab Program, ‘Artwork for Equity’, 2024 cohort in Brooklyn. 

Her quest is to rediscover the genuine historical truths that underpin the African narrative, which are lost due to colonization and slavery and present them through contemporary stories, preserving the legacy of a culture that is slipping away with time. Greatly influenced by the profound symbolism of Adinkra, originating from the Akan People. Her creations are a bridge between reality and illusion, history and the present, grief and healing, intimacy and fall outs.

BIO

Stephanie Kwaghe, a Nigerian contemporary expressionist artist, born and raised in Nigeria, she developed her artistic skills at the Federal University of Lafia (FULAFIA), cultivating a unique style that has been showcased in various group and solo exhibitions. 

Stephanie Kwaghe’s work explore the complexities of femininity, masculinity, and human emotions through a vibrant series of impasto paintings and mixed media works. Often Characterized by bold textures and expressive brushstrokes, her portrait paintings sometimes incorporate found objects like jeans, which adds a layer of symbolism and depth to her art. Stephanie continues to investigate new ways to convey the intricacies of the human experience.