Victor Ekpuk is a Nigerian-born contemporary artist based in Washington, DC.
His art, which began as an exploration of nsibidi “traditional” graphics and writing systems in Nigeria, has evolved to embrace a wider spectrum of meaning that is rooted in African and global contemporary art discourses. Guided by the aesthetic philosophy nsibidi, where sign systems are used to convey ideas, Ekpuk re-imagines graphic symbols from diverse cultures to form a personal style of mark making that results in the interplay of art and writing. Ekpuk’s art reflects his experiences as a global artist.
“The subject matter of my work deals with the human condition explained through themes that are both universal and specific: family, gender, politics, culture and Identity” -Victor Ekpuk
WORKS IN SELECTED PERMANENT COLLECTIONS
Smithsonian Institution National Museum of African Art, Washington DC
Newark Museum, New Jersey
The World Bank, Washington DC
University of Maryland University College Art Collection
BOOKS
2010 Contemporary African Art Since 1980, by Okwui Enwezor, Chika Okeke
2007 Inscribing Meaning: Writing and Graphic Systems in African Art, by Christine Mullen Kreamer (Author), Mary Nooter Roberts (Author),
Elizabeth Harney (Author), Allyson Purpura (Author)
2005 Black President, The Art & Legacy of Fela Anikulapo Kuti, Trevo Schoonmaker
2005 Contemporary Art In Nigeria & Ghana, Ester Adeyemi (ed.), Friedrich Reinhardt Veriag publication
2004 Afrikan Alphabets, Saki Mafindikwa, Mark Batty Publishers
2002 The Nsukka Artists and Nigeria Contemporary Art, Simon Ottenberg (ed.), (A publication of National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution)