Jideonwor Gabriel

Gabriel officially launched Vivid Exclusive Arts Gallery in 2017, however, he began his career in art business much earlier than that. In 2013, Gabriel began an internship with renowned artist Abdulsallam Abdulkareem at his studio located in Ikorodu, Lagos where he began selling canvas and making craft for commercial use; he made almost everything from straps and bags for musical instruments to leather belts and bags, this business scaled internationally in 2014. With the success of his craft, Gabriel decided to extend his portfolio to Ankara clothes and accessories in 2014, which he achieved by forging an alliance with an established Ankara artist, he leveraged on his international market to grow the Ankara business. In 2014, Gabriel also began to explore other sides of his creativity – he learned to play the guitar then focused completely on being a musician and craftsman in 2015.

Vivid Exclusive Art Gallery had been in existence since 2015 but without a physical space, it was online art sales done on media platforms, primarily Facebook. Its online presence became so strong, it prompted the development of the physical space which was called Vivid Arts Gallery Nigeria, Gabriel changed its name to Vivid Exclusive Art Gallery in 2017. Gabriel has been exhibiting and developing his own shows since his school days. He topped up his knowledge on the business of art at a business workshop program at Yemoja Gallery.

Gabriel has always been a teacher; he began teaching much earlier in life, before his apprenticeship at Abdulsallam Abdulkareem’s studio, in a private school where he learned to hold individual attention, mentor younger people and share (which made him very popular with his students). He had to quit working at the school to focus on creating art full time. His experience at the school helped him to stand out at Abdulsallam Abdulkareem’s studio where he was put in charge of teaching and mentoring IT and SIWES students, he also taught music and crafts to young people. Gabriel learned to teach basics, foundations, and respect uniqueness, all of which he believes are important for stimulating creativity.

Cool headedness, submissiveness and the willingness to learn are values Gabriel holds in high esteem, he believes collaboration and open knowledge sharing is key for growth. He defines creativity as consistency, versatility and improvisation no matter how tough it gets. Gabriel cites artists like Leonardo Da Vinci, Abdullasalam Abdukareem, Abiodun Olaku, Barbara Bradley and Voka as influences on his practice.

Artistic Statement

As an artist, Gabriel reflects on the urban African environment he lives in and how this environment fits within the wider global context. He also reflects on the world’s complexities (conflicts, corruption, inequalities and contradictions), its greatness, its resilience and its cheerful and courageous people. In his artworks he also explores community and family values; the rich and diverse African traditions and beautiful nature. As a black African artist, Gabriel feels very much connected to this rich heritage and proud of being part of it.

Gabriel is quite affected by his observation of present-day issues, including inter-racial violence, discrimination and injustice, as well other identity related issues suffered in African communities. He understands that each society has its own issues due to the way we interact with one another – based on greed or fear and distrust for the unfamiliar other-, and believes we all, as individuals, can choose how to interact and shape societies for a different and better tomorrow.

Gabriel’s work seeks to explore the impact of human interactions in view of universal human values, emotions and the need for human dignity that connect us all underneath our differences which reveals in a contemporary way, the incredible richness of our heritage to others who may not know. His work aims to encourage curiosity and openness towards diversity, to nourish renewed awareness, understanding, self-confidence and trust.

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