Iwalewa Gallery

Christopher Ankeli, 1972, Nigeria.

Ankeli Christopher Born in March 1972, Christopher hails from Kaduna, in the northern part of Nigeria and is from a family of nine(9) children. He graduated with a Higher National Diploma in painting from Kano State Polytechnic in 2003 and has been in the art practice since. Although he studied in Kano, he received most of his training and exposure...

Ankeli Christopher Born in March 1972, Christopher hails from Kaduna, in the northern part of Nigeria and is from a family of nine(9) children. He graduated with a Higher National Diploma in painting from Kano State Polytechnic in 2003 and has been in the art practice since. Although he studied in Kano, he received most of his training and exposure to art from Ahmadu Bello University where he had his industrial training. While there, he had the privilege of working under some well known names in the northern art scene, including a period of tutelage under Professor Tony Okpe, professor of sculpture at the Ahmadu Bello University.
Christopher's northern roots influence his art practice, especially his landscape paintings. His influences also stem from the loss of his mother, channelling this tragedy to create paintings that communicate strength, resilience and character. His work predominantly involves using paint; however, he likes to explore adopting unconventional materials such as coconut shells, found clothing material and sawdust for his art pieces. Water colours are also preferred media for Ankeli particularly for his landscapes, offering a different perspectiveto his playfuland somewhat cartoonish portrayal of family life. He has taken part in severalgroup exhibitions within and outside Nigeria. Alongside three other young contemporary male Nigerian artists, Ankeli is a founding member of the Ayobo art Colony in Lagos, named after the suburb community where these four artists reside and work. He is a full-time studio artist and lives in Lagos.

CHRISTOPHER ANKELI's Artworks

Midnight Traffic, 2022

Christopher Ankeli

Heavy, obscured forms hint at vehicles moving through the absolute darkness of an urban night. The intense blackness conveys the late hour and the tireless, ceaseless flow of commerce and hidden activity in the city.

City Haze, 2024

Christopher Ankeli

A moody cityscape shrouded in a hazy atmosphere; this watercolor piece masterfully uses light to define forms and convey the subtle mystery of the urban environment.

Road To The City, 2022

Christopher Ankeli

A lively watercolor street scene capturing a vibrant urban atmosphere with a yellow bus and people in motion, reflecting the everyday rhythm of city life.

Luminous Isolation, 2024

Christopher Ankeli

This piece captures the quiet dignity of a dwelling standing firm against the consuming dark. The glowing light within offers a symbolic warmth, representing the enduring human spirit and hope found even in solitude. This juxtaposition speaks to resilience.

Lagos Rush Hour, 2010

Christopher Ankeli

The blurred motion and electric tangle of city life transform a mundane commute into a symphony of movement and mood. This artwork reflects the tireless energy and beautiful chaos intrinsic to modern, fast paced urban existence, a universal experience.

The Long Walk Home, 2024

Christopher Ankeli

A solitary silhouette is swallowed by the imposing, foggy cityscape, suggesting introspection and the quiet journey of life. The mood of uncertainty mirrors the personal challenges we all face, finding our way through ambiguity.

Shadows Of Nocturne, 2024

Christopher Ankeli

Utilizing deep, oppressive tones, this abstract piece explores the emotional weight of night and the profound mystery of hidden spaces. Flashes of bold color represent fleeting moments of clarity and passion in the depth of darkness.

Urban Monolith, 2024

Christopher Ankeli

The imposing structure dominates the composition, representing the overpowering scale of modern infrastructure over the individual. Yet, the small figures below affirm the persistent, quiet existence of humanity within these colossal settings.

Rooftop Cluster, 2024

Christopher Ankeli

Layers of corrugated iron and close-knit houses depict a community bound by shared proximity and life's simple realities. This crowded perspective celebrates the intricate, organic growth and resilience of human settlement and shared experience.

Deep Night Village, 2024

Christopher Ankeli

This work plunges the viewer into near-total darkness, where the tiny, illuminated windows become beacons of life and connection. It emphasizes the profound comfort and safety provided by home in a vast, overwhelming world.

Rust Belt Residences, 2024

Christopher Ankeli

The warm, textured browns of aged roofs and walls tell a story of longevity, decay, and enduring character. This portrayal honors the deep history and rugged spirit embedded in the architecture of working-class communities.

Under The Eaves, 2024

Christopher Ankeli

Soft, cool light bathes the small congregation of figures standing beneath the shelter of simple homes. The scene evokes a feeling of quiet companionship, highlighting the necessity of human connection and mutual support against life's elements.

Roadside Gathering, 2024

Christopher Ankeli

Figures are paused against a stark, horizontal wall, creating a narrative moment of waiting or shared purpose in an open landscape. It speaks to the universal rhythm of migration and congregation that defines the human experience.

Mauve Architecture, 2023

Christopher Ankeli

This abstract study uses evocative blocks of color to suggest architectural forms stripped of literal detail, emphasizing emotional resonance over realism. The striking purple and gray palette evoke a dream-like state of mind and deep contemplation.

Ink Blot City, 2023

Christopher Ankeli

The nearly monochromatic composition captures the suffocating anonymity and isolating density of the megalopolis after dark. This profound darkness reflects the feeling of being a single, indistinguishable atom in a vast, overwhelming system.

Passage In Crimson, 2024

Christopher Ankeli

The vertical format and somber tones suggest a narrow, confined path through life's challenges. The single, intense red accent symbolizes a flash of defiance or love that cuts through the surrounding gloom and uncertainty.

Passage In Crimson, 2024

Christopher Ankeli

The vertical format and somber tones suggest a narrow, confined path through life's challenges. The single, intense red accent symbolizes a flash of defiance or love that cuts through the surrounding gloom and uncertainty.

Drizzle And Streetlight, 2023

Christopher Ankeli

The slick, reflective streets illuminated by a pale-yellow glow create a powerful sense of mood and atmosphere. This scene encapsulates the meditative beauty and quiet introspection often discovered during a lonely, rainy evening.

Horizon Line, 2024

Christopher Ankeli

Simplified forms meet on a vast, open plane, offering a meditation on perspective and the infinite possibilities beyond the immediate view. This minimalism encourages the viewer to project their own hopes onto the distant, ambiguous future.

Red Bar Of Light, 2024

Christopher Ankeli

A bold streak of crimson slices through the dense, dark abstraction, demanding attention and disrupting the calm. This visual tension represents the unexpected, powerful bursts of truth or revelation that interrupt our routine existence.

Vertical Ascent, 2024

Christopher Ankeli

The upward pull of the composition, framed by towering, indistinct walls, suggests a constant, difficult climb towards success or spiritual elevation. The small figures signify the courage required for personal progress and ambition.

Alley Of Shadows, 2024

Christopher Ankeli

This confined space, dominated by deep shadows, evokes a sense of both mystery and apprehension. It speaks to the hidden corners of the urban environment and the subconscious mind where unknown possibilities reside.

Internal Echoes, 2023

Christopher Ankeli

Utilizing rounded and obscured shapes within a limited frame, the artwork delves into the complexity of memory and internal thought. The quiet composition invites profound introspection into the layered, abstract nature of personal experience.

Street In Olive, 2023

Christopher Ankeli

The painting fuses a recognizable streetscape with blocks of vibrant, earthy color that suggest an elemental energy underlying daily life. The olive and deep tones connect the fleeting moments of urban movement to the ancient earth.

Vertical Abyss, 2023

Christopher Ankeli

The powerful, dark vertical blocks create a feeling of immense depth and structure, bordering on pure abstraction. The composition emphasizes the monumental, often daunting, structures that shape and organize our modern, complex world.

Urban Rhythms, 2024

Christopher Ankeli

The figures moving toward the foreground establish a sense of forward momentum and the relentless pulse of city living. The overall subdued palette underscores the everyday nature of this routine, yet persistent, human journey

Rainy Day Pedestrians, 2023

Christopher Ankeli

Rendered with a sense of haste and blur, this piece captures the transient, shared vulnerability of city dwellers seeking shelter from a sudden storm. It is a quiet study of collective movement and momentary refuge.

Terra Cotta Barrier, 2023

Christopher Ankeli

The dominant earthen tones of the foreground suggest a close connection to the land and traditional building materials. This heavy barrier speaks to the historical structures that separate and define human spaces in the world.

Greensward Twilight, 2024

Christopher Ankeli

A serene moment captured between day and night, where patches of light grass offer a contrast to the dusky structures. The tranquil atmosphere invites reflection on the peaceful, fleeting transition of the day's light and shadow.

Suspended Structure I, 2024

Christopher Ankeli

The horizontal elements are delicately balanced by a slender, vertical form, creating a visual tension between stability and lightness. This abstract interplay reflects the fragile, carefully constructed balance required to maintain order in life.

Moment Of Reflection, 2023

Christopher Ankeli

This powerful, intimate depiction of a solitary figure kneeling suggests a moment of deep prayer, profound grief, or personal surrender. It captures the essential human need for private contemplation and spiritual communion.

Indigo Figure, 2023

Christopher Ankeli

The composition uses a bold, curved white shape to slice through the muted background, suggesting a portal or opening into another space. It symbolizes the continuous, often hidden, opportunities for transition and escape in life.

High-rise Blue I, 2024

Christopher Ankeli

The vertical orientation dramatically emphasizes the height of the urban architecture against a bright, unexpected blue sky. This contrast highlights the intersection of human-made monumentality and the vast, indifferent natural world above.

Veiled Horizon, 2024

Christopher Ankeli

The landscape is almost entirely consumed by darkness and shadow, rendering the distant horizon barely perceptible. This intense obscurity evokes a feeling of profound mystery and the uncertain nature of the path ahead in life.

Gridded Light, 2024

Christopher Ankeli

The strict geometric pattern of windows contrasts sharply with the loose, painterly darkness surrounding the building. This juxtaposition explores the tension between human imposed order and the surrounding chaos of the natural environment.

The Underbelly, 2024

Christopher Ankeli

A low perspective focuses on the grimy, foundational elements of the urban landscape, suggesting the hidden effort and unseen structures that support everyday life. It honors the often-ignored, rough reality of the city's infrastructure.

Mask Of The Subconscious, 2025

Christopher Ankeli

A stark, haunting form resembling a mask float over blocks of vivid, contradictory color. This unsettling portrait explores the complexity of identity and the often-hidden, elemental emotional forces that govern our choices.

Curve And Edge, 2023

Christopher Ankeli

The graceful, sweeping white curve cuts through the hard, dark geometry of the background. This abstract study celebrates the inherent conflict and final harmony achieved between organic, fluid beauty and rigid structure.

Geometric T, 2023

Christopher Ankeli

A stark, angular 'T' form is centered against a somber, earthen background, suggesting an industrial or constructed symbol of power. This strong geometry reflects the rigid frameworks that often govern societal operation and design.

Dominance Of Shadow, 2024

Christopher Ankeli

The overwhelming dark mass visually crushes the small, vulnerable white structures huddled below. This intense disparity explores themes of power, vulnerability, and the constant struggle of small communities against immense forces.

Fading Daylight, 2024

Christopher Ankeli

The final moments of light gently illuminate a modest rural dwelling before succumbing to twilight's shadows. This tender scene captures the universal, cyclical transition of the day, conveying peace and quiet finality.

Industrial Gray, 2024

Christopher Ankeli

The bleak, expansive horizontal composition emphasizes the sprawling, muted structures of an industrial zone under a heavy sky. It serves as a visual commentary on the often-overlooked environmental cost of progress and infrastructure.

Urban Energy, 2024

Christopher Ankeli

Splashes of unexpected color ignite the dark, busy streetscape, transforming chaotic movement into a dynamic visual experience. The piece celebrates the vibrancy, speed, and inherent, volatile power of a modern metropolis in action.

After The Downpour, 2023

Christopher Ankeli

The reflective sheen on the pavement dramatically brightens the narrow street, magnifying the light on the moving figures. This scene beautifully captures the brief, refreshing stillness and heightened clarity that follow a heavy rain.

Chromatic Fragment, 2024

Christopher Ankeli

Abstract blocks of pink, rust, and yellow burst from the gray environment, suggesting fractured light and color within a complex space. The composition explores how vibrant, beautiful elements can exist within neutral, established settings.

Signal Light, 2024

Christopher Ankeli

A brilliant, vertical yellow-green streak acts as a pivotal element in the dark street, symbolizing guidance or a moment of direction. It highlights the importance of small, illuminating signs within life's overwhelming obscurity.

Primal Forms, 2025

Christopher Ankeli

Driven by emotion, the dark, sweeping movements are punctuated by primary bursts of blue and red. This forceful abstract work explores fundamental human passions, depicting a powerful, immediate connection to elemental forces.

Two Figures Retreat, 2023

Christopher Ankeli

The backs of two figures walking into a shadowy void evoke a sense of finality, departure, or joint resolution. The anonymity of the subjects invites the viewer to reflect on their own acts of leaving and moving onward.

Pink House, Lone Tree, 2025

Christopher Ankeli

The vibrant, unexpected pink of the dwelling stands out against the muted desert tones and the solitary palm tree. This colorful contrast celebrates the strong, individual character of a home in an isolated, harsh environment.

Abstracted Landscape In Sunlight, 2025

Christopher Ankeli

This vibrant scene captures the heat of a sunny day with fluid washes, contrasting a deep blue sky with a warm, golden foreground. The abstract forms evoke a feeling of atmospheric tranquility.

Evening Reflections On The Road, 2025

Christopher Ankeli

The rich, muted tones of a dusky street reflect the passing figures and distant structures. The scene is imbued with a sense of quiet melancholy, highlighting a shared, ephemeral moment.

Figures Against A Dark Wall, 2025

Christopher Ankeli

The artwork utilizes a powerful contrast between the silhouetted figures and the massive, monolithic dark wall. This dramatic composition suggests a feeling of human presence dwarfed by urban magnitude and shadow.

Tree On The Winter's Edge, 2025

Christopher Ankeli

A stark, bare tree stands against a dark, stormy background, above a foreground splashed with vibrant, ethereal color. The work is a moody study of contrast, stillness, and seasonal transition.

Traffic In Dusk's Embrace, 2025

Christopher Ankeli

The soft, diffused light of twilight illuminates a city street busy with cars and pedestrians. The loose application of paint captures the energy and muted colors of a bustling urban evening.

Figures In The Gray Street, 2024

Christopher Ankeli

Heavy gray and deep indigo washes create an atmospheric, somber streetscape. The three indistinct figures walking away suggest shared introspection or a lonely journey through the damp, subdued cityscape.

Riverside Tree And Reflection, 2025

Christopher Ankeli

Warm, earthy tones dominate this tranquil scene of a bare tree mirrored in still water. The composition is a calm, contemplative study of landscape, reflecting nature’s soft and silent, fading beauty.

Earthen Huts And Wanderers, 2025

Christopher Ankeli

Figures drift in and out of the doorways of warm, ochre-colored earthen buildings under a pale sky. The loose, suggestive style conveys a timeless, soft depiction of community life and daily passage.

Nightfall At The Rural Hut, 2025

Christopher Ankeli

Deep, rich shadows define a solitary figure walking toward a hut under a dark, heavy sky. The warm, inviting light from the structure provides a sharp, hopeful contrast to the surrounding dense darkness.

Color In The Urban Abstract, 2025

Christopher Ankeli

Bold, abstract shapes in deep purple and rusty red frame unexpected, bright accents of color. This dynamic and simplified composition invites viewers to find movement and drama within a fragmented urban environment.

Green Field And Structure, 2025

Christopher Ankeli

A vivid patch of acid green anchors the composition beneath a shadowed structure and gray sky. The work plays on vibrant color fields and stark contrast, creating a sense of moody, modern abstraction.

Vertical Tree In Brown Landscape, 2025

Christopher Ankeli

This piece features a solitary, vertical tree dividing a vast, layered field of warm browns and earthy reds. The work conveys a minimalist, stark beauty, emphasizing the enduring solitude of the landscape.

Purple Twilight Structure, 2025

Christopher Ankeli

A wash of soft purple dominates the background, setting a surreal, tranquil mood for the dark, geometric forms below. The work explores the emotive power of color in a simple, suggestive landscape.

Abstracted Red-orange Form, 2025

Christopher Ankeli

Broad, fluid swaths of red, orange, and purple hues merge to create an atmospheric field of color. The piece is a pure exploration of warm, emotional color gradients and their evocative atmospheric impact.

Green Horizon And Silhouette, 2025

Christopher Ankeli

The composition is defined by a wide band of olive green below an ambiguous, dark silhouette. It’s a minimal study in horizontal division, suggesting a quiet boundary between two distinct states of being.

City Street In Monochromatic Haze, 2025

Christopher Ankeli

The artwork is a nearly monochromatic study of a deep, shadowed city street lined with buildings and a central tree. The loose, wet technique creates an encompassing sense of deep urban mystery.

Brown Geometric Abstract, 2025

Christopher Ankeli

A rectangular shape of raw sienna sits isolated on a cool, gray background, with touches of bright color nearby. This piece focuses on the interplay between simple geometric form and surrounding atmospheric space.

Urban Vista With Figures, 2025

Christopher Ankeli

A wide-angle view of a street between two looming buildings contains small, colorfully accented figures. The composition captures the human scale within a large, imposing, and complex architectural environment.

Dark Archway Passage, 2024

Christopher Ankeli

A deep, dark archway frames a narrow street, creating a strong sense of depth and mystery. The work is a dramatic study of shadow and light, drawing the viewer into an uncertain, closed space.

Abstracted Facial Detail I, 2023

Christopher Ankeli

This close-up, abstract work focuses on a single, elongated white shape against a dark, layered background. The strong lines and limited palette create a striking, intense, and dramatically focused composition.

Abstracted Facial Detail Ii, 2023

Christopher Ankeli

Angular, dark shapes frame a bright, wedge-like form, creating an almost cubist portrait detail. The work is a bold exploration of form and color, suggesting fragmented identity and hidden emotion.

Street View With Two Panels, 2025

Christopher Ankeli

The piece presents a split-panel view of a city street scene, capturing busy urban life with a focus on dark, geometric buildings. The dual images offer slightly different perspectives on the same energetic, crowded space.

Car And City Lights, 2024

Christopher Ankeli

A dark street scene features the simplified form of a car and a flash of bright, primary color. The high contrast composition uses deep shadows to enhance the sudden impact of fleeting light and movement.

Solitary Figure In Pale Street, 2025

Christopher Ankeli

A lone, small figure stands in a vast, pale, atmospheric space dominated by gray and olive tones. The work conveys a deep feeling of isolation, emphasizing the quiet relationship between a person and their environment.

Town Corner With Telephone Pole, 2024

Christopher Ankeli

A tall telephone pole cuts across a corner view of simple, angular buildings in a town setting. The composition uses the pole's geometry to anchor an otherwise loose, atmospheric, and open urban space.

Shadowed Multi-story Building, 2024

Christopher Ankeli

This work features a large, shadowy multi-story building dominating the background of a wide street. The artist uses rich tonal variations to capture the structure’s weight and quiet presence on a subdued street.

Deep City Canyon, 2024

Christopher Ankeli

Heavy, almost black washes of color create a dense, shadowed space, suggesting a deep canyon between buildings. The painting is a powerful study of extreme darkness and abstraction within an architectural framework.

House On The Green Verge, 2024

Christopher Ankeli

A two-story house with a dark roof sits on a patch of bright green, balancing architecture with nature. The clear delineation of the building against a soft, atmospheric background creates a strong visual anchor.

Multiple Reflections And Forms, 2024

Christopher Ankeli

Abstracted shapes and reflections—including flashes of primary color—converge in a complex, multi-layered urban scene. The piece is a dynamic and fragmented view of a chaotic, yet colorful, intersection.

Lone Figure On A Wet Street, 2024

Christopher Ankeli

A solitary figure walks down a long, wet street, their form nearly swallowed by the muted, gray atmosphere. The painting evokes a feeling of quiet solitude and personal reflection in the vastness of the city.

Abstracted Roadside Structure, 2023

Christopher Ankeli

A splash of color highlights a dark, low-lying structure set against a pale, open background. The composition uses minimal detail and broad washes to create a sense of vast space and isolated human work.

Parked Vehicles In Shadow, 2022

Christopher Ankeli

Several vehicles are parked in deep shadow, their shapes defined by ambient light and surrounding dark structures. The piece is a moody, close-up study of urban geometry and the play of light on metal.

Yellow Car In City Traffic, 2023

Christopher Ankeli

A flash of bright yellow from a central car disrupts a busy scene dominated by grays and subdued tones. The composition highlights the energy of traffic and the momentary pop of human-made color.

Street View With Distant Cars, 2024

Christopher Ankeli

The view is a traditional streetscape with a distant vanishing point, capturing two cars traveling away from the viewer. The perspective creates a sense of movement and depth, drawing the eye down the open road.

Close-up Of A Parked Van, 2024

Christopher Ankeli

This detailed, almost portrait-like view of the side of a parked van focuses on its geometry and shadowing. The work brings an ordinary, overlooked urban object into sharp, contemplative artistic focus.

Urban Abstraction, 2024

Christopher Ankeli

An abstract cityscape rendered in muted tones, suggesting the dynamic energy of urban life through blurred forms and the interplay of light and shadow.