In London, Nigerian Artist Blends Contemporary with Classical Masterpieces

Yinka Olatunbosun

London-based Nigerian multidisciplinary artist Ken Nwadiogbu, renowned for his socially conscious art, was one of the shining stars of a UK exhibition tagged ‘The Absolut x Warhol: The Other Half showcase’ which was held at London’s Saatchi Gallery recently.

Nwadiogbu is one of the five vibrant international artists selected by Hypebae and Absolut Vodka for the iconic exhibition, which provides a platform for diverse voices. Other exhibiting artists included illustrator Kelly Anna, fashion designer and illustrator Jade Pearl, London-based artist Xu Yang, and co-founder of 3D design practice XK, Alexa Sirbu.

The Nigerian artist’s original work is inspired by Andy Warhol’s Absolut ‘blue’, which was rediscovered in 2020 but ties back to the brand’s 1985 Absolut Art campaign. Paying homage to Warhol’s Absolut ‘blue’ painting, Nwadiogbu builds upon the legacy from a contemporary lens. His featured works at the exhibition are mainly oil and acrylic on canvas, and they include Time Away (210 x 120 cm), Fly on, Ride Through (150 x 120 cm), Speak Less, See More (40 x 40 cm) with Red Migrant (40 x 40 cm), an acrylic on cardboard as an exception.

His experimentation with a thermal-graphic camera-inspired colour palette finds new expression in Andy Warhol’s masterpiece, redefining its essence. With each brushstroke, the young artist from the backwaters of Lagos continues to deepen his artistic legacy on a global pedestal. Nwadiogbu’s artistic worldview had taken a new turn after bagging a Masters Degree in Painting from London’s Royal College of Art. 

Leveraging art, he continues to interrogate global subject matters as they affect the black race, such as migration, identity, and socio-political control. At first glance, his works appear cerebral, but the underlying social consciousness is unmistaken.

Sharing his excitement, Ken Nwadiogbu said: “The exhibition was a truly special experience. Collaborating with Absolut, a brand that’s worked with legends like Andy Warhol, Damien Hirst, and Keith Haring, and having my work shown at the Saatchi Gallery felt like a major win. As a Nigerian, it gave me the perfect platform to tell my own story and share my perspective.”

Ken Nwadiogbu’s participation in the “Absolut Warhol: The Other Half” exhibition marks his second collaboration with a Pernod Ricard brand. Back in 2022, he designed “The Blue Experience,” a digital film for Martell. The generational artist’s latest romance with global giant Absolut adds a new layer to his trailblazing credit of corporate brands that he has worked with, including the likes of Netflix, GANT, and Martell. 

The widely travelled artist’s works have graced many esteemed sanctuaries of art, including the Royal Academy of Art, Somerset House, and Bishop Museum.