Eliza, 2023. oilsticks on canvas, 111 x 111 cm - SOLD
The girl child, 2023. oilsticks on canvas, 111 x 111 cm - SOLD
Burning passion, 2023. oilsticks on canvas, 111 x 111 cm - SOLD
Seated in majesty, 2024. oilsticks on canvas, 111 x 114 cm . Price on Request
The boy, 2023. oilsticks on canvas, mounted, 111 x 111 cm - SOLD
Love and affection, 2023. oilsticks on canvas, 83 x 114 cm. Price on Request
Coming o age, 2023. oilsticks on canvas, 71 x 83 cm - SOLD
When we meditate, 2024. oilsticks on canvas, 142 x 162 cm. Price on Request
So in love, 2024. oilsticks on canvas, 111 x 111 cm. Price on Request
Oh my goodness, 2024. oilsticks on canvas, 111 x 111 cm. Price on Request
Applause, 2024. oilsticks on canvas, 111 x 111 cm. Price on Request
The way you move, 2024. oilsticks on canvas, 109 x 109 cm. Price on Request
I am yours, 2024. oilsticks on canvas, 83 x 114 cm. Price on Request
What next, 2024. oilsticks on canvas, 99 x 109 cm. Price on Request
My first lady, 2024. oilsticks on canvas, 116 x 116 cm. Price on Request
Unstoppable, 2024. oilsticks on canvas, 59 x 93 cm. Price n request.
Humility is seen, 2024. oilsticks on canvas, 24 x 33 cm. SOLD
Yes I love to, 2024. oilsticks on canvas, mounted on panel - 29 x 40 cm. SOLD
When the heart whispers, 2024. oilsticks on canvas, 73 x 116 cm. Price on Request
Innocence, 2024. oilsticks on canvas, 116 x 116 cm. Price on Request
Odu nwa, 2024. oilsticks on canvas, 111 x 124 cm - SOLD
Great expectation, 2024. oilsticks on canvas, 106 x 134 cm - Price on request. The painting titled “Great expectation” reveals a single figure whose identity is not clearly depicted; however, the mood reveals someone who is engrossed in deep thoughts. Capturing that flashed moment by the artist using grass-like strokes leaves the viewer with many questions to what is really going on in the mind of the figure in question. Borrowing from the artist’s words, “he has a distinctive style of painting which is inspired by the works of Vincent Van Gogh and Claude Monet respectively” gives the viewer the clue of impressionism which allows anyone viewing the piece to make their conclusions on the matter at hand. This work is also seen as a commentary on what Nigerians expect from this present dispensation. Many young people have great expectations as they face every huddle in this precarious situation. The pinkish colour which bursts out of the greyish background symbolises an expectation that could come from a gloomy situation. Not only has that, the patches of blue on the figure provided another ray of hope. This combination of grey, pink, blue and brown hues exhumed the dexterity of the artist in handling his media and style. It is expected that this piece can magnet every viewer to a contemplation regarding expectation.
What lies ahead, 2024. oilsticks on canvas, 106 x 124 cm. Price on Request. “What lies Ahead” is another painting by Ezedire that depicts supposedly a figure like someone who is gliding through a field of ripe wheat. At a glance, the hazy figure seems to be in motion not really aware of what lies ahead. In most cases, humans move into their daily activities without knowing what lies ahead of them. Sometimes we are caught in a pleasant or unpleasant situation as we pursue our dreams; however, situations that come our ways only make us better and wiser as we plan for the next move. This painting is a reminder to every viewer that life is full of risk and must not be avoided simply because we don’t know what lies ahead of us. We must keep on moving like the figure in this work. The interplay of brown, blue, green, yellow ochre and purple in this painting shows the energy that the artist injected in the work. His emotions, artistry and vigor have been tamed by the wild but coordinated strokes which lead the viewer to a figure. This proves what the artist earlier stated that “the artist is vastly known for his abstract impressions, achieved through the bold use of strokes of oilsticks and vivid colors that blend seamlessly, thereby, creating a mesmerizing tapestry of abstract forms that make interesting statements.” Ezedire’s artistic mastery reveals that he is undaunted, impervious, dexterous, vigorous and dynamic in his approach.
Queendom demands loyalty, 2024. oilsticks on canvas, 106 x 114 cm. Price on Request.. In “Queendom Demands Loyalty” the artist purposefully brings to the viewer an issue of royalty. In an almost complete abstraction of a figure, the standing form delineated by the strokes leaves us to ponder on what a “Queendom” is. The artist at this point is trying to dribble the mind of the viewer to what is not common to the society. We know of chiefdom which is a common word has loyalty attached to it. In this work, “Queendom demand Loyalty” signifies a seated female figure. The artist is projecting this form to be a Queen sitting on a royal seat. It is expected that the society should give her the desired loyalty. Queendom also is a South Korean TV Reality show which started on the 29th August, 2019 and ended in June 2022. At the finals, six female singing groups in South Korea performed a collection of original compositions and covers of famous hits to win the Queendom contest. All the hues used in this painting “Queendom” are tailored towards flamboyance. Royalty depicts flamboyance who is mostly dressed in long white, purple, red and other attractive colours. As Mary Jo Patterson would describe the elegant portraits of royal class of Nigeria in the Newark Museum, New Jersey, “the images are large and lush, startling in their near life- sized appearances. You feel as if you are in the same rooms as these elegantly dressed and somewhat mysterious men and women. Just who are these regal figures from what we know as the modern African nation of Nigeria?”
When the time is right, 2024. oilsticks on canvas, 106 x 134 cm. Price on Request.. Another painting of Ezedire is titled “When the Time is Right”. In this painting, the artist fully employed his total abstraction of figures. The form seems blurred while the content remains subjective. The Van Gogh’s spirit of impressionism is clearly noticeable in this work. This brings to viewers a statement that was once attributed to the artist in an art blog which states that “at age twelve, he (Ezedire) started drawing and painting noticeably and was nicknamed Van Gogh by his peers. Since then, his artistic skill has advanced from exploring a wide range of painting materials such as gouache, acrylic, watercolour and oil colour to understudying great masters, through which he has been able to internalize some techniques”. His love for oil paints allows him to be fluid on the canvas, yet, purposely and enigmatic in his approach and style. In “When the time is Right”, the artist intentional throws the dice to the public to ponder upon the content. People are reminded to do things at the right time. The artist’s palette is not different from the previous works; however, the message is intrinsically portrayed. No wonder, when it was time for the artist to showcase his works to the public, he did not hesitate.
When the wind blows, 2024. oilsticks on canvas, 101 x 106 cm. Price on Request.. The painting, “When the Wind Blows” shows a raging sea waves typical of the water bodies. The vigorous splashing and striking of colours on the canvas by Ezedire continue to amaze viewers. The topic coincides with a comic movie which was a 1986 British adult animated disaster film based on Raymond Briggs' graphic novel of the same name. The film recounts a rural English couple's attempt to survive a nearby nuclear attack and maintain a sense of normality in the subsequent fallout and nuclear winter. To this account, does the painting relate to the previous review? Is it a coincidence? This is an indication that the artist is highly philosophical in his choice of subjects. His varied themes are both comical and lyrical in nature while his colours carry the flavour of western atmosphere. The stokes unveil the raging waters with high walls ready to splash back.
Orange son, 2024. oilsticks on canvas, 105 x 134 cm. Price on Request.. The painting “Orange Son” gives a philosophical view to the piece. Likening a son to an orange colour or fruit as the case maybe leaves room for the viewer to ponder upon the unravelling piece. Ezedire’s artistic wildness is unbelievable; it is more vivid when the theme is revealed. This title brings to mind a musician who is known as “Orange Son”. Will it be out of place if a viewer connects this work to that musician? Since the artist’s works are portrayed in abstracted forms and the topics do suggest things that the public are aware of. The huge standing figure in blue shirt is depicted in profile, gazing intently to an empty space suggests a young person caught in deep thought. The orange background blends neatly with the hazy figure in blue while the unkempt hair flies freely into the space. Orange as a warm colour gives hope which translates to a hopeful son.
Jophine, 2024. oilsticks on canvas, 104 x 104 cm. Price on Request.. “Josephine” is a large painting of abstracted form. A name has value attached to it, once it is mentioned someone must have something to relate to. The name Josephine has its origins in the French language and is derived from the masculine name Joseph. It carries the meaning of God will increase, a reflection of the strong religious connotations associated with it. It is clear that the artist sees his future in a bright colour and thinks of Josephine (God will increase). The juxtaposing of cool and warm colours in this painting raises the appetite of the viewer to search for the meaning of the abstracted piece. Ezedire is fond of gluing his audience to his works either through the form, content or context. This process can simply be termed magnetic.
Obi is a boy, 2024. oilsticks on canvas, 106 x 134 cm. Price on Request..
The blessed, 2024. oilsticks on canvas, 76 x 99 cm. Price on Request..
All eyes on me, 2023. oilsticks on canvas, 71 x 86 cm. SOLD
Beauty encapulated, 2024. oilsticks on canvas, 83 x 114 cm. Price on Request
Hidden Jewel, 2024. oilsticks on canvas, 104 x 134 cm. Price on Request. The painting titled “Hidden Jewel” is rendered in abstract form. The intentional rendering of colour patches takes the viewer to a state of thinking deeply to make meaning out of the composition. The elements are not easily identifiable which exemplifies the hidden jewel in the work. A jewel is a precious or semiprecious stone incorporated into a piece of jewellery. Such treasures are known to be rare items that are not easily found but when gotten are held in high esteem. In a relationship, partners can see each other as hidden jewel. Once they discover each other, they can live together forever.