BIOGRAFIA
Fatherd by a lawyer /journalist/politician of the first republic , Late Mr Ganiyu Makanjuola Akande and a military personee mother ,late Major Mrs Monisola Adedeji (N1962). My parents had a first hand knowledge of my talent in arts and they jointly assisted me, in growing my talent. I had my first gallery in the year 1982 , a stone throw from where Artgbegis gallery is located at the moment.
Africa rich culture, heritage ,diverse ethnicity and behavioural patterns, has been a source of fascination to me because of its originality, beauty ,splendour and the pride that goes with it. Over the three decades , I have painstakingly studied and produced hundreds of paintings in oil , to serve as a bridge to knowledge between the people of Africa in time past ,to the present and the world at large.
Am presently working with Francesco Russo saviero and Salvatorie Russo on the grand universal exposition 2014 at effiel tower paris
Am a member to over 90 modern day contemporary art groups across the world and I jointly administer 3 with Mark Valentino of burnley UK, namely, Images if life , As mad as you like and Images of life by Mark Valentino
On the home front, I have collaborated with numerous institutions, corporations, foundations,Media houses, TV stations and non government organisations on various projects in arts and culture and art workshops.I wish to mention a few, Cocoa research institute Ibadan Nigeria, institute of tropical agriculture Ibadan Nigeria, Nigeria export promotion council Abuja Nigeria,African Renaissance foundation Abuja Nigeria , The Heritage museum Badagry Nigeria, The National museum Ibadan Nigeria ,The National dailies Nigeria, the Nigerian tribune , the National television authority Nigeria, MTN Nigeria, and a host of others.
On the home front I have my paintings with the likes of prof Adewole, prof olumide Tewe, prof femi ogunbiyi, prof ilesanmi, Dr Dongo, prof Lawal,chief justice ilori, chief justice Mrs Akande, chief s.p.a Ajibade ,Sterling bank Ibadan and other collectors that appreciates my works.During my tenure as the institution artist to cocoa research institute Ibadan , my paintings has been given as parting gifts to various government ministers ,secretary generals and other August visitors
My annual children art talent search co sponsored by MTN and Sterling bank Nigeria , comes up every July at my gallery, where I tend to catch the young child artists for further development.this program I have imbibed into the life care community foundation ( an NGO )program
Olugbenga was once an entrepreneur of the week with splash FM Ibadan Nigeria, where I later introduced a phone in art competition anchored by Ronke giwa , where one of my paintings is won on a monthly basis
I have featured on the weekly NTA art program visual impressions courtesy of Nta Ibadan , whom has given periodic support to my art programs around the south west
In the past I ve had media interviews with mary ekah from this day newspapers, wale Ojo Lanre from tribune newspapers, the editor of national dailies,Alex onome egborge from the Paparazi and some e magazines , all bothered on my sojourn in arts and my art program both at home and abroad
Am presently working on my project , Africa Our culture art in totality by which means I want to take African art to the door step of the civilised world and thereby changing their orientation on African art as a tribal art but as a basin of modern contemporary art
I enjoy painting oil on canvas and I like to paint and paint and paint again, I enjoy working with children and getting the ultimate child artist from my numerous children talent search. I also enjoy reading African history.
Olugbenga Akande is a self thought artist
Ladies and Gentlemen you are welcome to my world.
CONTATTI
Telephone: +2348073271413
+2348068723007
Email: artgbegi@yahoo.com
artgbegi2@gmail.com
Facebook page: www.facebook.com/thegalleryofartgbegi