Johnson Ocheja

Johnson Ocheja is a self-taught artist, born in 1994 in Kogi, Nigeria. His works explore themes of identity, history, and politics through the lens of personal experience. He is an artist who draws inspiration from his surroundings, the colorful people he encounters, and the historical stories he was told growing up. Ocheja's work is also influenced by other artists like Gerald Lovell and Amoako Boafo.

He employs the impasto technique, using his fingers to create marks on the skin of his subjects inspired by the African cultural practice of scarification. Ocheja's portraits showcase black consciousness and beauty. Having lived in two different Nigerian states with distinct identities, cultures, and issues, Ocheja incorporates these matters into his work to address how they affect his community. His works are affected by artists like Gerald Lovell, Amoako Boafo.

Ocheja has exhibited his work in numerous solo and group shows, including at the West Harlem Art Fund in New York and the AG18 Gallery in Athens. His work has garnered critical acclaim and recognition, with Ocheja being named one of the top emerging African artists to watch by various publications.