RESUME TIMI KAKANDER (b. 1979)

Timi Kakandar is a Nigerian artist based in Lagos and a leading figure in the West African contemporary art scene. He received his early studio training under painter Jubilee Owei in the 1990s, laying the foundation for a practice that has evolved into a distinctive and highly recognisable visual language.

Working primarily in oil and acrylic, Kakandar constructs richly textured surfaces through dense pigment layering and expressive palette-knife techniques. His paintings are defined by a bold and imaginative embrace of colour, recalling elements of Fauvism while remaining deeply rooted in the tonal vibrancy and cultural spirit of Africa. Unafraid of experimentation, he approaches figuration as structured form and compositional rhythm rather than straightforward narrative depiction, treating the human figure as both subject and formal device.

Renowned for his striking, often large-scale abstract figurative works, Kakandar demonstrates a profound fascination with the human form and spirit. His portraits reveal a deep love of the genre and a technical mastery that balances intensity with quiet intimacy. Through a rich and nuanced colour palette, he expresses the full spectrum of human emotion, creating works that resonate with depth, resilience, and hope.

A significant focus of his recent body of work is the celebration of women and their essence. These evocative paintings explore themes of ceremonial dress, material exchange, cultural identity, and dignity. They emit a strong sense of presence and empowerment, while maintaining the compositional discipline and structural clarity that characterise his practice.

Kakandar is regarded as one of Nigeria’s most prolific contemporary artists, with four solo exhibitions and participation in more than thirty group exhibitions worldwide. He has developed an established international following, and his works are held in private and museum collections globally. In 2021, he was featured in Saatchi Art’s “Next Generation of Master Artists” (USA). His work is part of the public collection of the National Museum, Lagos, and has been presented internationally, including at the Harlem Fine Arts Show in New York.