Biography:

Born on November 11, 1971, in Imo State, Nigeria, Ezedire is a visionary contemporary painter renowned for his bold and expressive abstract works. Educated at Federal Government College in Port Harcourt and later at the University of Port Harcourt, he has since established his studio practice in Abuja, FCT, Nigeria.

Ezedire’s distinctive style is defined by his innovative use of oilsticks, bypassing the traditional brush in favour of direct, tactile engagement with his medium. This approach results in layered, textured surfaces alive with movement, rhythm, and depth. Deeply influenced by the emotive brushwork of Vincent van Gogh and the atmospheric impressionism of Claude Monet, his works are immersive and emotionally resonant.

At the heart of Ezedire’s practice is an exploration of perception, beauty, and identity—often centred around the female form. His figures emerge subtly from abstraction, their details blurring or clarifying depending on the viewer’s distance, inviting both contemplation and emotional interpretation. His colour palettes are vibrant and emotive, designed to evoke visceral reactions and personal reflection.

Internationally recognized, Ezedire has exhibited extensively in Nigeria, the United States, Europe, and beyond. His works are housed in private collections across the globe, testifying to the universal appeal of his meditative and deeply human approach to abstraction.

Artist Statement:

Art, for me, is a journey into the essence of existence—a pursuit of beauty, connection, and the unseen forces that shape our world.

Through my oilstick paintings, I explore abstraction not as a detachment from reality, but as a language—one that speaks in colour, texture, and motion. My compositions are often built around themes of emotional resonance, unity, and perception, with a recurring focus on the female form, especially women of African descent, as symbols of strength, grace, and resilience.

I draw deep inspiration from the expressive turbulence of Van Gogh and the light-soaked serenity of Monet. These influences manifest in my work through rich layering, blurred outlines, and vibrant energy. My process is intuitive and physical, guided by the movement of my hands and the responsiveness of oilsticks on canvas.

Central to my work is the idea of seeing—not just visually, but emotionally. I aim to create pieces that shift in meaning depending on how and where they are viewed. From a distance, form emerges from abstraction. Up close, chaos becomes texture, detail dissolves, and the mind fills in what the eye cannot. In this ambiguity lies my invitation: to feel first and interpret later.

Every piece I create reflects the fluidity of the human experience—an attempt to find harmony within dissonance, form within freedom, and connection within abstraction.