Nigerian artist Silas Onaja’s oil portraits capture “the refreshing fluidity of life” as he integrates water in some form into many of his images. To learn more about the artist, please visit this website.
My name is Silas Onoja, and I am a painter from Abuja, Nigeria. I like to paint realistic scenes from ordinary life because of the way such scenes resonate with people’s images of themselves. People in my home village get a real kick out of seeing themselves as art; as representatives of the Nation.
I have a real affinity for texture, the natural elements and the subtle changes you can see in a person’s complexion. My use of water is a metaphor for what I see as the refreshing fluidity of life that is embodied in the effervescent faces of the children that live in my neighborhood.
I like to see my paintings as affirmations of life, the simple life of everyday existence.
I draw a lot of inspiration from many of my countrymen that have made great contributions to art and literature. People like Nobel Laureate, Wole Soyinka, who wrote one of my favorite books, “The Gods Are Not To Be Blamed,” which sums up my attitude towards the work we are doing in my country to alleviate poverty, minimize corruption, and create a vision for the future of Nigeria: it is all up to we the people.
That’s why I enjoy making ordinary people into iconic, artful images. It gives regular people the sense that they are important and that they are the ones responsible for how we will live in the future.
My series, “The Future I See” is a collection of smiling and hopeful children that are in fact the future of not only Nigeria, but the world.
One of the fun things I like to do with my art is to participate in art fairs and festivals, where I often do live demonstration paintings.
We have a lot of talented artists in Nigeria, and these festivals are a fun time for many of us to get together and entertain large crowds with our skills. This is something most artists don’t get a chance to do, as creating art is usually such a solitary endeavor.
I also get inspiration from being around so many talented artists. It keeps my creative juices flowing. To stand out in a crowd of such talented people takes a lot—it keeps you humble and focused—constantly practicing and improving.
One of my favorite quotes is, “The sky is too big for a single bird to dominate it. Envy no one, and the sky will be your starting point.”
Artist Silas Onaja invites you to follow him on Facebook and Instagram.
His work is astounding. I know you shouldn’t compare art; no art is the same. However, in a world dominated by conceptual modern art that often loosely makes sense…this is refreshing ART.
Noni B, thank you with all the enthusiasm that I can muster.
His work is so beautiful. He is a very gifted and talented artist who is able to capture the mood of his subject. Amazing!!!
Jade, thank you for your most generous compliments. Stay in touch.
I love your work Silas, your portraits are animated, alive and real,, the way your paint water,,
i can see it as if it was in the flesh.
thank you
Eileen Seitz
Where can one buy your work?
Your works inspires me to keep on practicing……. there will soon be a day I will see u face to face Mr Silas……great works ahead……..