about

Victor Ekpuk is an internationally-renowned Nigerian-American artist based in Washington, D.C. His paintings, drawings, and sculptures reimagine the ancient Nigerian communication system, Nsibidi, to explore a diverse spectrum of meaning addressing historical narratives, the contemporary African diaspora, and humanity’s connection to the sacred.

Ekpuk’s three-decade long career has earned his works inclusion in numerous prestigious collections, including the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture; Smithsonian National Museum of African Art; Boston Museum of Fine Art; The World Bank; Bank ABC (Arab Bank Corporation) in the Kingdom of Bahrain; Kiran Nadar Museum of Art in New Delhi; Elizabeth Miller Sculpture Center; Hood Museum; Krannert Art Museum; Newark Museum; United States Art in Embassies Art Collection.

In recent years, Ekpuk has added large-scale murals, installations, and public art projects to his portfolio. He has been commissioned by The Phillips Collection, Washington DC, North Carolina Museum of Art, Memphis Brooks Museum, Washington D.C. city government for Boone Elementary School, and Bank ABC (Arab Bank Corporation).

EXHIBITIONS

Ekpuk, a Smithsonian Institution fellow, has works that have been featured in several international and national exhibitions

Aicon gallery, New York (2019)

Get Up, Stand Up Now, Somerset House, London, UK (2019)

Institut du Monde Arabe in Paris, France (2017)

North Carolina Museum of Art, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA (2017)

12th Havana Biennial, Havana, Cuba (2015)

Dakar Biennial, Dakar, Senegal (2014)

Auto-Graphics, Hood Museum, New Hampshire, USA (2015) and Krannert Art Museum, UrbanaChampaign, Illinois (2014)

Inscribing Meaning, Smithsonian Institution National Museum of African Art Washington DC and Fowler Museum Los Angelis (1998)

Africa Now, Museum of Art and Design, New York (2011)

Black President: The Art and Legacy of Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, New Museum of Contemporary Art, New York (2010)

1st Johannesburg Biennial, Johannesburg (1995)

IN COLLECTIONS

COMMISSIONS

Ekpuk has been awarded several commissions by museums in the United States. In 2021, he created an immersive work in entrance vestibule of The Phillips Collection, Washington DC for the museum’s centennial commission.

In 2016, he was commissioned by The Smithsonian Institution National Museum of African Art to design trophies awarded to recipients of the museum’s first African Art Awards. One of the recipients was renowned artist Yinka Shonibare MBE.

In 2017, he completed a large-scale 30ft x 18ft. centerpiece mural at the North Carolina Museum of Art.

A commissioned 58ft mural “Essence of Memphis” currently at the Memphis Brooks Museum was a site of a scene in Brian Banks the latest movie by Tom Shaydiac.

In 2019, he completed a 20 ft metal sculpture “Hope and Dream Under Glory” commissioned by City of Washington District of Columbia at Boone Elementary School in SE Washington DC.

In 2019, he installed The Face a 17 feet landmark sculpture commissioned by Bank ABC (Arab Bank Corporation) at its world headquarters in The Kingdom of Bahrain.

He is currently commissioned by Penguin Random House Publishers to illustrate new covers of popular books by Africa’s most renowned author, Chinua Achebe. These volumes include, Things Fall Apart, No Longer at Ease, Arrow of God, A Man of The People and other well-loved Achebe novels.

IN COLLECTIONS

Smithsonian Institution National museum of African Art (NMAFA)

Smithsonian Institution National museum of African American Culture & History (NMAACH)

Kiran Nadar Museum of Art, New Delhi, India

Elizabeth Miller Sculpture Center, Kansas
Bank ABC International Headquarter, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain

The World Bank

Newark Museum

Hood Museum

Krannert Art Museum

United States Art in Embassies Art Collection