Osa Okunkpolor (born 11 March 1983), simply known as Osa Seven, is a Nigerian graffiti artist,[1] brand developer and GFX designer. His work ranges from portraits of iconic characters to scenic images, brand designs, abstract art, and tribal art designs.[2]
Osa Seven | |
|---|---|
 Seven in 2017 | |
| Born | Osa Okunkpolor |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Alma mater | University of Lagos |
| Years active | 2010 |
| Known for | Street art, graffiti, graphic design |
| Website | osaseven |
Education and career
editSeven graduated with a bachelor's degree in Visual Communications from University of Lagos, Nigeria.[3]
Seven has worked as a brand developer for Food Concepts Plc and ran the clothing brand Live Mechanics before the Osa Seven brand. Seven brand has since worked with the companies MTV, Jameson, Absolut Vodka, Pernod Ricard, HP, Africa, Guinness, Smirnoff, Heineken, The Federal Government of Nigeria.
Seven's first exhibition was The 7th Element: The first ever graffiti exhibition in Nigeria which was organised by Seven and his parent company A2 Creative. This exhibition was held at the Kia Motors showroom on Saturday, May 28 and Sunday, May 29, 2016.[4][5] His second exhibition was Panorama: Osengwa, a US-based art retail platform, partners with Kuma Nation, a collective of non traditional artists, to host Panorama, a street and contemporary art viewing. Featuring live art installations, exhibitions from 12 African artists, including Seven.[6]
Social Influences
editSeven, together with Socially Africa, co-founded "Art For A Cause"[7] which is an initiative that uses Art to inspire children. Seven also volunteers at WormFreeZone and has taught classes at British Council and Goethe Institute workshops.
Recognition and awards
editSeven was featured on CNN Africa Voices[8][9]
Seven was nominated for The Future Awards Africa 2016 category of "The Future Awards Africa Prize for Arts & Culture"[10]
References
edit- ^ Waringa Kamau; Yemisi Adegoke. "This graffiti artist wants to makeover the streets of Lagos". CNN. Retrieved 13 February 2017.
- ^ Ugobude, Franklin (June 2016). "Osa Seven's Art Will Leave You With Your Jaw On The Floor – OMGVoice Lifestyle". Omgvoice.com. Archived from the original on 14 February 2017. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
- ^ "Education". autojosh.com.
- ^ Osa, Seven (2016). "7TH Element NG". Pulse ng.
- ^ Osa, Seven (2016). "7TH Element Graffiti Exhibition". Guardian TV.
- ^ Osa, Seven (2016). "Panorama Exhibition". Bellanaija.
- ^ "Inspiring Nigeria's Future Through ART: Socially Africa Kicks Off Second Edition of ART FOR A CAUSE". BellaNaija. Retrieved 13 January 2017.
- ^ Waringa Kamau; Yemisi Adegoke. "This graffiti artist wants to makeover the streets of Lagos". CNN. Retrieved 13 January 2017.
- ^ "Graffiti In Lagos: Osa 7 tells CNN he's inspired by Banksy - Arts & Culture - Pulse" (in German). Pulse.ng. 9 August 2016. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
- ^ "Three Column Masonry - The Future Awards Africa". The Future Awards Africa. Retrieved 13 January 2017.
- "Is Osa Seven the Banksy of Lagos?". www.cnn.com. CNN. 4 January 2018.