Bona Ezeudu, born on February 13, 1956, in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria, is one of Nigeria’s most enduring and original contemporary artists. He hails from Enugwu-Agidi, in Njikoka local government area of Anambra state, in the South-Eastern part of Nigeria.

 

He studied Fine and Applied Arts at the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu, where he graduated with distinction in 1980. His early career included teaching positions at the Federal Advanced Teachers’ Training College in Abeokuta and later at IMT itself, but by 1991 he transitioned fully into professional practice. In 1988, he founded the Bona Gallery, now Bona Art Gallery (B.A.G) in Enugu, recognized as the first modern art space of its kind in the city. This move cemented his role not just as a practicing artist but also as a mentor and cultural trailblazer.

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Over several decades, Ezeudu has developed a remarkable visual language defined by variety and experimentation. His portfolio spans a diverse range of self-created techniques he invented in the 2000s; from the Scrafito method to abstract Match Stick Impressions. He is also credited with pioneering two distinctive methods he calls the scratchy technique and the drip-controlled brush approach, which allow him to layer emotion and motion within static surfaces. His "Money Through the Ages" series, featuring cowries, naira coins, and currency iconography, transforms monetary symbolism into a powerful commentary on history, politics, and national identity. Periodically working in dominant hues like red, blue, green, and brown, he reshapes mood and meaning across thematic phases of his practice.

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Ezeudu’s work has appeared in numerous solo and group exhibitions across Nigeria and internationally. His pieces are held in the collections of major institutions and high-profile individuals alike, including the National Museum in Lagos, First Bank Nigeria, and private collectors such as Nelson Mandela and Jimmy Carter. Beyond accolades, his impact is measured by his unwavering commitment to the art ecosystem; nurturing talent, challenging systems, and continuing to shape conversations around creativity, culture, and justice.

 

Bona Ezeudu is not simply an artist; he is a movement in motion.

                                                                                                                                  © 2025 Munachim Ezeudu. All rights reserved.