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.
