Samson Bakare is a Nigerian artist who has made a name for himself in art through his dedication to exploring African identity and values. Born in 1993, Samson’s journey into the creative world began at a young age, inspired by his architect father in the bustling city of Lagos. His passion for the arts led him to pursue a degree at the prestigious Yaba College of Technology, where he graduated from the School of Art.
Throughout his career, Samson has been privileged to be trained by some of the most prominent and veteran Nigerian artists, including Abiodun Olaku, Raji Babatunde, Edosa Oguigo, and Ejoh Wallace. Under their tutelage, he has developed a style that centers around the propagation of black identity and values while representing historical scenes. His narrative covers portraits of African men and women with blank expressions as they strive for cultural emancipation.
Samson’s work is a time machine that allows viewers to see the past and behold the future from the same standpoint. The East African Coptic art has significantly influenced his exploration, even as the theme and subject remain a hybrid of classicism and stylization, which he calls Afro-classicism.
Through his art, Samson highlights the importance of African identity and culture, and he does so with a unique, compelling, and thought-provoking approach.
One of the notable aspects of Samson’s work is his ability to use satire to review the excesses of British imperialism and racial equality.
His works are aesthetically pleasing and reflect issues affecting African societies today. In 2018, Samson joined the Arts in Medicine Fellowship, Nigeria, an NGO established solely for improving healthcare through the arts. His dedication to using his art for a good cause is a testament to his character as an artist and a human being.
Samson’s talent has been noticed. His works have been featured in local and international exhibitions, including the Counter-History show in Paris in 2019, the Counter-History Alliance Francaise exhibition in Lagos in 2019, and the Occupied Space exhibition in Accra in 2020.
His art has been widely collected by notable collectors globally, a testament to the impact and value of his work. As his career continues to blossom, it is clear that Samson Bakare is a name that will continue to feature prominently in the global art scene.
