Artist Statement
Without the ability to actualise an idea or concept, art would not exist. My work is a constant search for the best way to interpret the ideas that I have about myself and the world I live in.
Each piece I create is simultaneously a reflection from my childhood memories, where I come from and what I have seen and learned. Classic cars, antique furniture, vintage clocks, old fashion and electronics to say a few, are seen in my paintings to stir up deep feelings of nostalgia.
My works are cleverly initiated by spent postage stamps, complete with perforated edges. Individually strong, they are considerably more powerful as a collective, reminding us of the fading art of philately.
According to George Santayana: “To know your future you must know your past”. It is in these words that my audience will find the meaning in my art and with the aim of guiding the next generation to take cognisance of the past in preparing for tomorrow.
We now live in a fast paced world, we cling on these memories as a stamp to a package, transporting ourselves every now and then to simpler times.
I sometimes transfer my drawings and paintings to shirt designs and hand painted bags. I believe creativity should have no limit.
If a viewer stops for just a moment to view and reflect on a piece I have created, then I have succeeded in my work.
Artist Biography
Morakinyo Femi is a visual artist born in Akure, Ondo State Nigeria in 1984. At an early age, Femi was intrigued by the stamps collected by his banker father which have now become a major source of inspiration for his art style. In his early age, Femi lived briefly with his grandmother who was a connoisseur of old textiles, hand painted aluminums pans and vintage items. He was captivated by most of these items and spent a great deal of time drawing them.
A Fine Art graduate of Yaba College of Technology in Lagos, Femi is currently a Senior Art Director in a leading digital advertising agency in Lagos, Nigeria where he works across diverse areas such as motion graphics, illustrations and designs.
As an artist, Femi explores classic and stunning storytelling, capable of evoking nostalgic feelings and taking his viewers on a journey of visual pleasure using his unique stylized painting employing acrylic, oil, charcoal and pastel mediums. He portrays his love for vintage art by fusing antique objects into everyday scenarios in dramatic and sometimes amusing ways.
Femi has participated in a couple of art shows as listed:
2010: United Bank for Africa (UBA) Student joint Exhibition
2017: Arthouse Contemporary Affordable art auction Lagos, Nigeria
2018: Arthouse Contemporary Affordable art auction Lagos, Nigeria
2019: Arthouse Contemporary Affordable art auction Lagos, Nigeria
2019: Art Oja Holiday Art Party at Radisson Blu Hotel, Lagos, Nigeria
2020: Zarnellia Joint Art Exhibition Lagos, Nigeria
2020: Arthouse Contemporary Affordable art auction Lagos, Nigeria
2021: Creativity in Times of Crisis, (COVID-19 Initiated) a Virtual Reality Joint Exhibition
2022: Stamps of Memory a solo Exhibition of paintings by Morakinyo Femi.
2022: Nostalgia II Virtual Joint exhibition curated by The Holy art London Gallery.
2022: From Lagos with love Art exhibition and food design curated by art.ng. Lekki, Lagos Nigeria.
