Afrikanizm Art | Morakinyo Femi – Nigerian Artist Memory and Design

"Through his richly layered paintings, Morakinyo Femi weaves together nostalgia, cultural memory, and visual storytelling. Drawing on his love for vintage aesthetics, he fuses antique objects into everyday scenes - sometimes in dramatic, sometimes in humorous ways - creating compositions that are both emotionally resonant and visually striking.

His technique is as eclectic as his inspirations: a synthesis of acrylics, oils, charcoal, and pastels, allowing for a textured and evocative language that brings each scene to life.

At the heart of Femi’s practice lies a deep engagement with sociocultural issues - particularly those related to gender, heritage, and the urgent need for cultural and historical preservation. Works like Kindergarten, Association Day, Unknown Soldier, and Better Days Ahead reflect his ongoing exploration of these themes, inviting viewers to reflect on the layers of identity and collective memory that shape contemporary life.

Femi's art is an invitation - not only to look, but to remember, question, and feel."

MEET

Morakinyo Femi

Morakinyo Femi (b. 1984, Akure, Nigeria) is a Nigerian visual artist and painter whose work is shaped by a rich tapestry of memory, vintage culture, and visual storytelling. Raised between Akure and Lagos, Femi's early exposure to imagery came through his father’s stamp collection and his grandmother’s archive of hand-painted aluminum pans and antique textiles—objects that deeply influenced his aesthetic language.

Femi studied Fine Art at Yaba College of Technology, majoring in painting. His artistic journey is marked by a blend of nostalgia, materiality, and modern design sensibilities, often referencing the visual textures of old Nigeria: postmarks, fabrics, containers, and ephemera that speak to collective memory and personal history.

In parallel with his studio practice, Femi works as a Senior Art Director at one of Lagos’s top digital advertising agencies, where he merges illustration, motion graphics, and design thinking. This duality informs his practice, allowing him to fluidly navigate both the art and creative industries.

Through layered compositions and a deep respect for the material past, Femi creates works that invite viewers to pause, remember, and reconnect—with stories, objects, and identities that transcend time. His unique voice continues to gain visibility in Nigeria’s contemporary art scene and beyond.

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