“My art makes social and political commentary as a form of protest art
that speaks for the oppressed, the art that kicks against bad leadership,
the art that condemns inhumanity and violence in our society."
Bob-Nosa
Bob-Nosa is a Nigerian artist with a diverse range of artistic talents, hailing from Benin City. He pursued his education in fine arts at the Auchi Polytechnic. His artistic identity is defined by his creation of captivating paintings featuring intriguing characters. These works are often crafted with the purpose of satirizing political irregularities and societal phenomena. Bob-nosa's artistic themes, which he aptly describes as reflections of the adverse impacts of poor political leadership on ordinary citizens, delve into a myriad of subjects, including vice, corruption, extortion, murder, illegal migration, inhumane treatment, human trafficking, violence, child labor, hate speech, and war.
Employing a blend of street art techniques like collage and spray painting, Bob-nosa employs satire and parody as powerful tools for social activism. His art serves as a call for change and transformation within Nigeria, across Africa, and throughout the world. Bob-nosa draws inspiration from the concept of "inhumanity" and belongs to a select group of contemporary artists who openly critique government actions.
Bob-Nosa affectionately labels his workspace as the "Protest Art Studio," where he crafts artworks that provide commentary on the pressing social and political issues that deeply concern him. The scale of Bob-nosa's works, his choice of materials, brushwork, and subject matter collectively comprise his distinctive expressive language. His art often incorporates vibrant primary colors, applied in bold, sweeping strokes, and frequently incorporates collaged images and found materials. He further adds depth to his pieces by etching written text onto surfaces, while also using aerosol paint to create rugged, spray-painted effects that interact with the painted forms.
Bob-nosa's artistic journey has garnered admiration for his honesty and bravery, yet it has also stirred controversy due to his penchant for provocative and explicit displays. His artistic prowess has gained recognition not only in Nigeria, Cameroon, and South Africa but also in the United States, France, Spain, Belgium and the United Kingdom.
Protest Art Studio
Setting up his own studio in Lagos, which is dubbed Protest Art Studio, he found that the choice of materials played a major role in how he artistically expressed his beliefs and his desire to create change. Utilizing acrylic, spray paint crayon, charcoal and found materials he created protest art that directly addressed the social injustices and evil corruption plaguing Nigerian society. Making protest art, he worked quickly. Every action called for a reaction, where he had to think fast and move fast—just like protesters in the street.
Paul Laster, Art writer White Hot Magazine New York
