Marcellina Akpojotor

**Marcellina Akpojotor** (born 1989, Nigeria) is a contemporary Nigerian visual artist renowned for her dynamic mixed-media paintings that explore themes of female identity, memory, and empowerment within African society. Her distinctive style combines traditional painting techniques with intricate collage work, often incorporating salvaged fabrics and materials to create compelling, textured surfaces. **Early Life and Education** Akpojotor was born in Nigeria in 1989. She was drawn to art from a young age, often observing her father, who worked as a sign maker in Lagos. This early exposure to visual creation influenced her eventual pursuit of an artistic career. She studied Art and Industrial Design at the Lagos State Polytechnic. Following her formal education, Akpojotor interned at the studio of the legendary Nigerian printmaker, Bruce Onobrakpeya, where she also attended the prestigious Harmattan workshop. This experience, alongside meeting other established artists, significantly shaped her artistic development. **Career and Artistic Style** Akpojotor's career gained significant traction when she was selected as a Young Contemporary by the Rele Art Foundation, leading to her representation by Rele Gallery. Her work is characterized by its focus on challenging societal perceptions and exploring the complex roles of women in Africa. She employs a unique collage method, often incorporating scraps of Ankara and other patterned fabrics, to construct the form, skin, and clothing of her subjects. This technique not only adds a rich physical texture to her paintings but also infuses them with historical and cultural significance, grounding her exploration of identity and femininity in material culture. **Major Achievements and Notable Works** Akpojotor has been featured in several key international art fairs and exhibitions. Her participation in major global events includes Art Basel Miami Beach (2021), Art Dubai (2020), FNB Art Joburg (2019), and the LA Art Show (2020). Her works have been displayed in numerous group exhibitions worldwide, such as "The Flower Show" (2023) at L.A. Louver Gallery in Los Angeles, "Narrative as Reality: Constructing an Identity" (2023) at the Martin Museum of Art in Texas, and "Sisters: The Art of Nigerian Women" (2018) at Carnegie Gallery in Ohio. Notable works include *Ma Ma, Da Da (Cradle Series)* (2016) and *Set to Flourish I* (2021). In 2022, her painting *Eyes on the Gold II (Power Series II)* set a record auction price for the artist, selling for 73,080 USD at Sotheby's New York, underscoring her rising prominence in the international art market. Her work has been recognized and featured in the book *The Art of Nigerian Women* by Ben Bosah. **Current Status** Marcellina Akpojotor continues to be an influential visual artist based in Nigeria. Her works are regularly exhibited in major galleries and museums, including the Norval Foundation, and she remains represented by Rele Gallery. Her ongoing artistic focus is to deliver powerful and passionate depictions of female narratives, celebrated for their complex themes and distinctive, mixed-media execution.