Kelechi Charles Nwaneri (b.1994, Nigerian) is a self-taught mixed-media artist. He currently lives and works in Lagos state, Nigeria. Nwaneri obtained his Bachelor's degree in Agricultural Extension from the University of Nigeria in 2015. Kelechi Nwaneri focuses on discussing issues around mental health, psychology and social values with his work. Inspired by the events happening in his environment, he creates art with surrealistic imagery that is often allegorical, but is based on real experiences. The use of indigenous symbols (including mainly Adinkra, Uli, Nsibidi) and sometimes foreign symbols, mystical, metaphysical and allegorical imagery are major characteristics of his style of work.
Solo exhibitions include Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery, West Palm Beach, Florida, USA (2024); Red, Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery, Berlin, Germany (2023); Finding Balance, Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery, London, UK (2022); Through my eyes at Akka Project, Venice, Italy (2021), Myths at Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery, Berlin (2021) and Modern Marks at Ebony Curated, Cape Town, South Africa (2020).
Group exhibitions include Where the Wild Roses Grow, Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery, Schloss Görne, Germany (2023); Les Enchantées, curated by Nicola E. Petek & Stephan Klee, HAUNT, Gallery, Berlin, Germany (2023); The Black Ghost, Primo Marella Gallery, Milan, Italy (2022); African Contemporary Art Fair Paris, AKKA Project, Paris, France (2022); Untitled Miami Beach, with Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery, Miami, USA (2022); Enter Art fair, Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery, Denmark (2022); Art Dubai, AKKA Project, Dubai, United Arab Emirates (2022); Untitled Miami 2021, Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery (2021); Facing the Sun, Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery, Schloss Görne, Germany (2021); Stop. Listen, CFHILL Gallery, Stockholm, Sweden (2021); 1-54 New York (2021); Art X Lagos, SMO Contemporary Art (2021); All the Days and Nights, Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery, London (2020); STASIS, SMO Contemporary Art Gallery, Temple Muse, Victoria Island Lagos, Nigeria (2019), SECRET GARDEN, ODA gallery, Fransccheok, Western Cape, South Africa (2019), Ode to mankind, Artyrama Gallery, CFAO building, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria (2018); Spanish Festivals and traditional celebrations, Thought Pyramids Gallery, Maitama, Abuja, Nigeria (2018); Exploring the Goldmine Inherent in Nigerian Creative Industries, National Festival for Art and Culture (NAFEST), Ibom hall, Uyo, Nigeria (2016).
Highlights and Collections
In 2020, Nwaneri participated in artist residency for AKKA Project in Venice, Italy. He was also a winner of the annual "Visual Art competition 2018" organised by the Spanish embassy in Abuja, Nigeria. His work is held in the Birmingham Museum of Art, USA; the Bunker Artspace Museum, USA; Susan Goodman Collection, USA; Arthur Lewis Collection, USA; Africa First Collection, Tel Aviv, Israel; Easton Capital Collection, USA; Embassy of Spain Abuja, Nigeria; CC Pounder Collection, Dakar, Senegal; Dee Kerrison Collection, Newport Beach, USA.