Taking the crypto art market by storm, NFT art in Africa has seen unprecedented success, with its first solo exhibition at the premier auction house in London, Christie’s. Here’s what we know so far about this pioneering African artist and his work:
Oyindamola
Oyindamola, Osinachi and NFT art in Nigeria have become increasingly popular in the global crypto art market. In fact, one self-taught NFT artist sold over $75,000 of NFTs in less than 10 days in March. Currently, Nigeria leads the way in crypto-art in Africa. According to Statista, Nigeria is expected to have 400 million dollars in crypto-art by 2020.
These emerging technologies are already reshaping the art world in Africa. For instance, the Nigerian artist Uyi Amokaro launched a cryptocurrency-based art platform called WeAreMasters, which helps artists create and sell collectible NFTs. Meanwhile, Ferdy ‘Ladi Adimefe is coaching emerging artists in the field.
Oyindamola has become a household name because of her ability to make portraits with ballpoint pens. Earlier this year, she tweeted an image of Ethereum co-founder Charles Hoskinson, who later helped sell the artwork for $6300. Since then, she has been cultivating her NFT footprint on Twitter, selling over six thousand dollars in March.
Osinachi
As an early adopter of cryptocurrency, Osinachi is emerging as one of Africa’s most prominent crypto artists. Born in Nigeria, Osinachi has been nominated for the Bridgeman Studio Award, which recognizes exceptional talent in the crypto space. His work explores the personal experiences of individuals who thwart the expectations of society. This year, he will present his work at the Etherealblockchain summit in London.
Osinachi created the digital series using David Hockney’s portrait of an artist, and then turned it into a jpeg image and uploaded it to the NFT marketplace. The images were made available to the public for bidding, and buyers bid in Ether, the second-most-popular cryptocurrency. The project, known as Osinachi, has received venture capital investment from Andreessen Horowitz and other leading venture firms.
Osinachi’s work
The recent rise of crypto art has given birth to a new form of currency, called NFT. It’s a new way of trading digital art. The new currency has also created a new market for African artists. One of the artists who made his name in the NFT art market is Japanese artist Christie Oshinachi, whose work first premiered at the 1:54 African Art Museum in London. Osinachi’s images explore the concept of putting work above happiness. These images are so powerful and affecting that they wrap you up in a warm embrace and make you stare for some time.
Osinachi’s work in NFCs and blockchain-enabled digital art has been widely celebrated. His work explores the personal experiences of people living in a digital world. His figurative portraits are inspired by real-life experiences in his native Nigeria. His art has also garnered attention in major media outlets including CNN, Forbes Africa, and Artnet. He has also received numerous awards and was a finalist for the Bridgeman Studio Award.
Obstacles to NFT art
The difficulty in minting NFTs in many African countries is a significant barrier. Exorbitant gas costs make this practice unaffordable for many emerging artists. Despite these challenges, African artists are increasingly using NFTs to accelerate the transition of art from the traditional world to the digital world. As the world comes to terms with the emergence of digital assets and virtual currencies, NFTs are expected to grow in importance.
The digital world of NFTs promises more amenities for artists. As the movement grows, it has the potential to create a truly inclusive ecosystem. For these artists, it is essential to consider the challenges that are hindering their growth and take action to overcome them. NFT art in Africa
