Ken Nwadiogbu's 'Yellow is the New Black' Challenges the Gaze at Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery
- Art Report Africa
- Aug 12
- 3 min read
LONDON, UK — A woman's palms press against a doorframe, a singular point of calm in a scene exploding with color. The figure and the doorway are cast in a brilliant yellow, a hue that consumes the canvas and hints at a transcendent moment on the brink of an unknown future. This powerful image sets the tone for "Yellow is the New Black," a solo exhibition by acclaimed artist Ken Nwadiogbu at Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery in London's Tower Bridge.
Opened on August 12th, this show is a vibrant celebration of everyday Black life. The title itself is a clever play on words, referencing both the dominant yellow palette and the sheer vitality of the Black experience that Nwadiogbu so masterfully captures.
A Fusion of Memory and Material
Nwadiogbu's process is a captivating blend of spontaneous energy and meticulous detail. He starts with photographs of friends, family, and members of the Black immigrant community, but his goal isn't to simply replicate them. Instead, he zeroes in on moments that are deeply emotionally charged, using a unique technique to bring them to life. The artist first pours paint onto the canvas, allowing his psychological state, the rhythm of music, and the flow of color to guide him. This textured, expressive underlayer then becomes the stage for the figure and other contextual elements, which he paints with remarkable precision. The result is a series of ethereal scenes that hover between stillness and motion, reality and the subconscious.
A significant element of this new body of work is the use of Akwete cloth, a hand-woven textile from Igboland. Nwadiogbu paints his figures onto the back of this traditional fabric, allowing the patterns on the front to remain untouched. This creates a visual dialogue between his contemporary narrative and the rich history embedded in the cloth, connecting his subjects' experiences to ancestral rituals and celebrations. For example, in "Love and Survival," the fabric hangs like a ceremonial flag, its frayed edges suggesting both resilience and vulnerability. The surreal scene of a boy with a spear in a boat, with two hands joined by a disintegrating string floating above him, reflects the artist's own struggles with distance and a romantic relationship after moving from Nigeria to London.
A Journey of Celebration and Self-Discovery
The exhibition also serves as a poignant tribute to the immigrant's journey. Works like "Take Off" depict a moment of personal transcendence, with the artist himself depicted climbing a building with feathered wings. This piece captures the feeling of both expansiveness and precarity that comes with pursuing a new life in a foreign city. Other paintings show hands gripping tickets, a powerful symbol of distance traveled and obstacles overcome. The ambiguous forms and shapes emerging from the "tumultuous, inky backdrop" of these works speak to memory, psychological weight, and the resilience required to navigate a new world.
Ultimately, for Nwadiogbu, the act of creating these pieces is a profound act of celebration. He immortalizes these personal and communal moments on canvas, honoring his community's strength, creativity, and vitality. In his own words, the work serves as a reminder "that we are strong, beautiful, powerful; that our experiences matter and that we can all understand the world better through them."
About Ken Nwadiogbu
Ken Nwadiogbu (b. 1994, Lagos, Nigeria) is a multidisciplinary artist who combines hyperrealism with conceptual art. A civil engineer by training, he creates layered, politically charged works that explore themes of Black identity, representation, and displacement. His art, often mixing meticulous detail with vibrant color, challenges viewers to question their own perspectives, believing that "value lies in the perspective."
Exhibitions and Recognition
Nwadiogbu's work has been featured in numerous solo and group exhibitions across the globe. Notable solo shows include:
Upcoming: Yellow is the New Black, Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery, London (2025)
I Belong Here, Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery, Berlin (2024)
Journey Mercies, Bomb Factory Art Foundation, London (2021)
He has also participated in major group exhibitions and art fairs, including ArtX Lagos, 1-54 African Art Fair, and the Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition.
In recognition of his work, Nwadiogbu received the Future Awards Africa Prize for Art. He was selected by Netflix in 2023 to create a painting inspired by the TV series Top Boy and has collaborated with brands like Martell and OPPO. He is also dedicated to mentoring young creatives.
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