Israel Padonu

Nigeria

Mixed Media Painting and Contemporary Art

Fine Art Collectors and African Visual Storytelling

Art for Healing, Memory and Social Consciousness

"I seek to address societal issues, promote unity, and inspire positive change."

MEET

Israel Padonu

Israel Padonu (b. 1987, Badagry, Lagos State) is a contemporary Nigerian artist whose practice is rooted in social consciousness, memory, and transformation. Introduced to colour and visual storytelling by his father — a traditional signwriter — Padonu began drawing by copying images from church magazines, a childhood habit that would later shape his path as a self-taught visual artist.

He earned a B.A. (Ed.) in Creative Arts with a major in painting in 2017 and briefly taught Fine Art before fully committing to studio practice in 2020. Since then, Padonu has explored unconventional materials and mixed-media techniques, creating emotionally layered works that aim to connect with the viewer’s psychological and social realities.

His current body of work merges formal painting with a clear intention for mental and emotional well-being, responding to contemporary societal issues and promoting reflection, unity, and healing. Padonu believes in art as a form of higher service — not only as expression but as a transformative tool for community and personal growth.

From Lagos to the wider African and global stage, Israel Padonu represents the new wave of Nigerian artists using art to shift narratives, spark conversations, and foster resilience.

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