Nigeria-based artist, Victoria Makinde, was born on November 9, 1999. She finished her National Certificate of Education (NCE) in Fine Art at the Federal College of Education Abeokuta Osiele, Ogun State, Nigeria and completed her industrial training at the Ebenezer Akinola Studio, in Ibadan, Nigeria where she interned for 1 year, and 6 months.

Victoria is an oil color artist who has always loved art right from the onset and started painting professionally in 2019. She recently participated in a group exhibition held at Idesign art gallery now Soto gallery, Lagos to commemorate Women’s Day on the 8th of March, 2022 where 6 out of the 7 works she had on display were sold due to the creativity and stories behind her pieces. She is currently being represented by Constance & Sons Gallery, Ibadan, Nigeria.

ARTIST’S STATEMENT
Through my paintings, I choose to tell stories of women (past and present) who are having issues in their relationships or marriages. These days, we find newly formed relationships breaking off so easily because of various reasons and marriages of 10 years or less having major cracks in their walls.

This leads me to the objective of picturing the image of the various situations that lead to these break-ups, asking myself what might have happened to the happy moments spent together and the promises and vows taken at the altar. My paintings also centre around black women, their journey, struggles, and accomplishments – trying to balance their relationships with their day-to-day activities.

TECHNIQUES
I make use of oil color on canvas, painting with brushes and thick layers of palette knives on some specific parts of my work. I paint my figures trying not to confine the skin tone to any particular shade. Seeing the works of Duke Asidere, who is a very notable African artist, gives me a wider perspective on my technique.