“Classic cars, antique furniture, vintage clocks, old fashion and electronics to say a few, are seen in my paintings to stir up deep feelings of nostalgia.”- Morakinyo Femi
Morakinyo Femi’s artistic journey finds its roots in his childhood experiences, where the stamp collection curated by his father and the vibrant world of vintage items cultivated by his grandmother served as profound sources of inspiration. These formative influences laid the groundwork for his artistic vision, with his father’s collection of bankers’ stamps emerging as a primary muse.
His upbringing in Akure, Ondo State during the 1980s and 1990s deeply influenced his artistic journey. Memories of his mother’s sewing machine, his grandfather’s upright piano, his father’s typewriters, his grandmother’s folk tales and superstitious stories, as well as the presence of his grandfather’s pendulum clock in the sitting room, and the vehicles of that era, left a lasting impression on him. Though many of these items have faded from existence, he utilizes his art as a pathway to revisit and reconnect with these cherished memories.
“Each piece I create is simultaneously a reflection from my childhood memories, where I come from, and what I have seen and learned.”- Morakinyo Femi
Morakinyo Femi’s artwork delves into the realms of classic storytelling, weaving together vintage elements with everyday scenes to evoke a sense of nostalgia for “the good memorable Nigerian days.” His pieces showcase a fusion of antique objects within dramatic and occasionally whimsical settings.
Central to Femi’s artistic vision is the notion of crafting narratives that resonate deeply with the viewer, rather than solely aiming for universal appeal. This approach allows him to create characters, subject matter, and compositions that forge powerful and intimate connections with the observer, fostering a sense of authenticity and personal relevance.
Femi’s paintings serve as timeless archival records, capturing the essence of the late 90s in Nigeria’s history. Through his style, Femi assumes the role of both historian and documentary artist, immortalising artefacts such as Nipost stamps, 504 Ford cars, Kobo, and the now obsolete denominations of Naira amidst antiquated household items. In his hands, these relics are revitalised, breathing new life into them and juxtaposing their significance with contemporary societal shifts that threaten to erase our cultural identity.
Femi invites viewers on a visual odyssey through his distinctive, stylized paintings, employing a diverse array of mediums including acrylic, oil, charcoal, and pastel. His masterful use of colours – earth colour, green, yellow, red, blue, and black – serves as a conduit for warmth, harmony, and capturing the essence of his memories, emotions, and historical narratives as he experienced them. Particularly noteworthy is his deliberate incorporation of yellow and red hues, strategically chosen to etch his stories, characters, and symbols into the collective memory of 21st-century Nigerians, ensuring the preservation of their cultural heritage.
In addition to his prowess as a painter, Femi’s creative talents extend across various disciplines, including motion graphics, illustration, and design. A graduate of Fine Art from Yaba College of Technology in Lagos, Femi currently holds the esteemed position of Senior Art Director at a leading digital advertising agency in Lagos, Nigeria.
“According to George Santayana: “To know your future you must know your past”. It is in these words that my audience will find the meaning in my art and guide the next generation to take cognizance of the past in preparing for tomorrow.”- Morakinyo Femi
“My works are cleverly initiated by spent postage stamps, complete with perforated edges. Individually strong, they are considerably more powerful as a collective, reminding us of the fading art of philately.”- Morakinyo Femi
“We now live in a fast-paced world, we cling on these memories as a stamp to a package, transporting ourselves now and then to simpler times.”- Morakinyo Femi
Artist Biography:
Morakinyo Femi, Fine Art Graduate, Yaba College of Technology
B. Akure, Ondo State
D.O.B 1984
Exhibition Highlights:
(2024)
- Virtual Art Exhibition- Madeke Modern, United Kingdom
(2022)
- Solo Exhibition of Paintings – Stamps of Memory by Morakinyo Femi.
- Virtual Joint Exhibition- Nostalgia II curated by The Holy Art London Gallery.
- Art Exhibition and Food Design- From Lagos with love curated by art.ng. Lekki, Lagos Nigeria.
- Joint Exhibition- Metacognition, Awareness of Thought on Artsy.
(2021)
- Virtual Reality Joint Exhibition- Creativity in Times of Crisis, (COVID-19 Initiated)
(2020)
- Zarnellia Joint Art Exhibition Lagos, Nigeria
(2017-2020)
- Arthouse Contemporary Affordable Art Auction Lagos, Nigeria
(2019)
- Art Oja Holiday Art Party at Radisson Blu Hotel, Lagos, Nigeria
(2010)
- United Bank for Africa (UBA) Student Joint Exhibition
Contact:
- Phone Number (s): +234 08025908108
- Email: femmorak@gmail.com
Social:
- IG: morak_02
- FB: Femi Morakinyo
- X: @femmorak
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