Daniel Emmanuel

Nigeria

"I'm a visual artist who creates art with acrylic paint on canvas to express myself and add beauty to the face of Africa and black people around the world. "

MEET

Daniel Emmanuel

Daniel Ayomide Emmanuel, is a talented artist whose journey began on September 23, 1999, in the vibrant city of Ibadan, Oyo state, Nigeria.

From the earliest days of his primary school education, Daniel's eyes were drawn to the diagrams in his textbooks, igniting a spark of artistic curiosity that would shape his destiny. Little did he know that these childhood moments would be the prologue to an extraordinary artistic journey.

Daniel Ayomide Emmanuel (b. 1999, Ibadan, Nigeria) is a self-taught contemporary Nigerian artist known for his vibrant acrylic paintings that explore themes of African culture, black identity, and rhythmic self-expression. His artistic journey began in early childhood, sparked by the visual appeal of textbook illustrations — a fascination that evolved into a powerful creative voice.

Growing up in Oyo State, Daniel began drawing at the age of five. Without access to formal training, he taught himself through sheer persistence and passion, developing his skills by redrawing comic book characters and later sharing his work on social media platforms. This digital exposure helped refine his visual style and connect him with a wider audience.

His work transitioned from digital illustration to traditional canvas painting, where he found deeper freedom in acrylic paint — a medium he now uses to translate emotion, rhythm, and visual storytelling. Influenced by the vibrancy of Nigerian daily life, Afrocentric aesthetics, and music, Daniel’s canvases are rich in colour, energy, and cultural symbolism.

Music plays a vital role in his creative process, inspiring the compositional rhythm that shapes many of his pieces. Each artwork is a visual symphony, expressing movement, identity, and the layered beauty of African life. Through his art, Daniel invites viewers into a sensory world where sound, texture, and memory converge.

A lover of both sports and music, Daniel infuses his work with dynamism and emotion, creating paintings that are not only visually striking but deeply personal. His practice affirms that creativity knows no limits — and that African contemporary art is a living, evolving force that bridges the personal and the universal.

Daniel Ayomide Emmanuel stands as part of a bold new generation of self-taught African artists reshaping the global art landscape. His work celebrates the richness of black culture, the power of self-discovery, and the boundless potential of artistic freedom.

FROM OUR BLOGUE
“Dear Black People… A Love Letter”: Diasporic Time-travel in Atlanta

Now open at ZuCot Gallery, Dear Black People… A Love Letter is a bold and poetic journey through the Black American experience. With over 95% of works by artists of African descent, the show reframes visual storytelling as time travel — blending memory, identity and joy.
From glowing watermelons to shimmering histories, this exhibition pulses with creativity, community and cultural pride.

Continue Reading
Zara Welcomes Ghanaian Artist Otis Kwame Kye Quaicoe in Stunning Accra‑Inspired Capsule

Zara has announced a groundbreaking capsule collaboration with Ghanaian painter Otis Kwame Kye Quaicoe. Featuring 16 curated looks—from vibrant embroidered trousers to statement T‑shirts and accessories—the collection channels Quaicoe’s signature palette and reflects the energy, history and spirit of Accra. This partnership not only broadens visibility for African artists but underscores the growing influence of contemporary African art in global fashion and culture.

Continue Reading
Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) Poised to Transform Nigeria’s Cultural Landscape

The Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) in Benin City opens in November 2025 as a major cultural hub. The first stage features the new research-focused MOWAA Institute, alongside its inaugural exhibition Nigeria Imaginary: Homecoming. Designed by Adjaye Associates, the campus includes galleries, labs, performance spaces, and houses newly repatriated Benin Bronzes and contemporary artworks by Nigerian creators.

Continue Reading

Commision An Artwork
By This Artist

We can arrange and oversee the creation of a new work made specifically for you