Oliver Enwonwu

Oliver Enwonwu is a third-generation artist; his grandfather was a reputable traditional sculptor while his father Professor Ben Enwonwu MBE, is celebrated as Africa’s pioneer modernist artist.

Oliver’s work explores liminality, and how ancestral knowledge and metaphysical beliefs inform contemporary identity. He explores the role of spirituality as both a personal and collective force, challenging Western dichotomies and dominant narratives around mental health. In 2024, he was the first recipient of the Akoje Residency, Dumfries House, Scotland, organised through the King’s Foundation and The Akoje Foundation.

Enwonwu is a leader in the Nigerian arts and culture sector with over 20 years of experience as a curator, art administrator, author and publisher. In addition, his expertise spans art advisory, programme management, as well as strategy and development.

He is the founder, executive director, and a trustee of The Ben Enwonwu Foundation and sits on the board of the Lagos Biennial. The publisher of Omenka, Africa’s first art, business, and luxury-lifestyle magazine, he is a Fellow of the; Royal Society of Arts; Institute of Management Consultants and Society of Nigerian Artists where he served as president from 2009 to 2011. Enwonwu is a member of the British Art Network and the Folkestone Art Society.