Mavua Lessor

Nigeria

Born in: 1960

Painting

Mavua Lessor is a popular Nigerian artist born Jonathan Omavuayire Lessor on 26 November 1960 in Warri, Delta State, Nigeria. He started formal education in Warri, where he was born, then moved to Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi for his higher education. At Auchi, he graduated with a Higher National Diploma (HND), Upper Credit in painting in 1986 before moving on to his National Youth Service at the Federal College of Education, Abeokuta between 1986 and 1987.


After his National Youth Service, Lessor began the freelance practice which lasted from 1987 till 1993, during this period, he began experimenting with metals and other materials for interior and exterior decorative works. He opened a studio in 1993 and focused more on painting, which was his area of specialization. During this period, for fourteen years (1993-2007), he only exhibited and sold his works through the Signature Art Gallery with which Lessor built a unique relationship that was both cordial and rewarding. Lessor has participated in numerous solo and group exhibitions.

Exhibitions

Mavua Lessor had his first solo exhibition in Lagos in 1998, themed Consciousness of Form; the reception was so positive, he had another solo exhibition in 2001 Colour Amidst Squalour, which was coordinated by Obias Odogwu. The success of both solo exhibitions motivated Lessor to make his solo exhibitions regular events, he had solo exhibitions themed Tones of Light, Art on the Rooftop and The Stages of Time in 2005, 2006, and 2008 respectively.


In 2010, Lessor had a very successful exhibition at Terra Kulture in Lagos, themed Bond Across. This event increased his popularity within the Nigerian community and boosted his position. He went beyond Nigeria in 2011 with a unique solo exhibition in Montserrat, Fort Worth, Texas, United State of America, themed Glimpses. This exhibition opened up a whole new world of opportunities for Lessor, including the listing and publishing of his works in the International Contemporary Artists, Volume iii, a yearly publication of international contemporary artists, making him the first and only Nigerian artist to ever get that recognition.


In 2012, Lessor had a very unique show themed Vitality in Diversity in which he exhibited over a hundred works of his. This event did a great job of attesting to Lessor’s passion for art and consistency as a professional artist, as a result, he got numerous (largely private) local commissions and international invitations for exhibitions and publications by museums and galleries in Europe and America. One of such was from Hidden Treasures Art Magazine Year Book, where Mavua Lessor was listed and published in its 2014 edition; this edition was published in Croydon, United Kingdom.


In addition to Lessor’s numerous achievements, one major event was the exhibition of his works to an international audience at the Deutsche Bank Financial Investment Perspective 2013 Dinner/ Art Salon (Deutsche Bank is regarded as the world’s foremost corporate art collector). The exhibition was held at the Eko Hotels Sky Restaurant in March 2013. Mavua’s Impressions of Reality solo exhibition in 2017 is to date the biggest and most successful.


Below is a list of some of the exhibitions and events he has participated in:

1. Impressions of Reality, Lagos, Nigeria, 2017.

2. Amidst the Mire, Lagos, Nigeria, 2014.

3. Vitality in Diversity, Lagos, Nigeria, 2012

4. Terra Kulture Auction House, November 2011.

5. Glimpses, Dallas, USA, 2011.

6. Bonds Across, Lagos, Nigeria, 2010.

7. Art House Auction Shows, Civic Centre, Lagos, Nigeria, 2008 and 2010.

8. Stages of Time, Lagos, Nigeria, 2008.

9. Contemporary Art in Nigeria and Ghana, Embassy of Switzerland in Nigeria, 2008.

10. Hellenic Images, The Embassy of Greece in Nigeria, Lagos and Abuja, March 2007.

11. Art on the Rooftop, Lagos, Nigeria, 2006.

12. F. Spinnler Exhibition, Lucerne, Switzerland, 2006.

13. Colour Masters, National Museum, Lagos, Nigeria, March 2005.

14. Nigeria Tones of Light, Lagos, Nigeria, 2005.

15. The Train National Museum, Lagos, November 2002.

16. N.A. 2001, Abuja, Nigeria, December 2001.

17. Anderson Consulting Exhibition, Chartered Bank House, Lagos, Nigeria, 2001

18. Colour Amidst Squalor, Lagos, Nigeria, 2001.

19. Consciousness of Form, Lagos, Nigeria, 1998.

20. The Muson Festival Show, Muson Centre, Lagos, Nigeria, 1991.


Publication listings

Mavua Lessor has appeared in numerous publications, some of which include:


1. Hidden Treasure Art Magazine Year Book, Croydon, United Kingdom, 2014.

2. International Contemporary Artists, Volume III.

3. Contemporary Nigerian Art in Lagos Private Collection by Jess Castellote, 2012.

4. Contemporary Artists in Nigeria and Ghana.