Old King Joe:

For enquiries and sales contact:

Joe by phone or whatsapp

 002348023146185 or

Azubike - 002344 7063113352

Born on the the 9th of January 1961 in Lagos, but a native of Illah, in the old Midwestern Nigeria (now part of Delta state).  I started my art sojourn gradually & subconsciously too when I was a student of one of the founders of 'natural synthesis' form of art, Bruce Onobrakpeya at St. Gregory's college, Obalende, Lagos. 

It was in St. Gregory's college that my interest in art showed up in painting. I Joe Amenechi would later proceed to Yaba college of technology, Lagos where I majored in painting under the tutelage of masters like Yusuf Grillo & Kolade Oshinowo. I obtained my higher diploma in painting in 1985. 

In order to appreciate my works one has to look at my background. Even though trained at Yaba school which has an unrepentant passion for exuberant colours, realism- impressionism, my works are rather woven around a web of intricated traditional patterns reminiscence of Master artist Bruce Onobrakpeya. Most of my works are executed in metal foil, deep etching & metal relief which give less room for flamboyant colouring. 

Perhaps the only place where I relate with Yaba school is in the thematic values & craftsmanship. My inclination to Bruce Onobrakpeya's style is not surprising. Apart from the fact that I had my H.N.D. industrial attachment & was employed after gradation with Bruce's Ovuomaroro Art gallery - studio, I have been a student of Bruce Onobrakpeya since the early seventies at St. Gregory's college, Obalende. 

I have given several exhibitions of my paintings & etchings & my overwhelming motives, are to preserve the traditional features of our ancestors & for continuity. For this reason my artistic expression relies heavily on images & symbols or seemingly fetish objects of our ancestors.