About

The Life of a master in the art scene

Sam Ovraiti, born in 1961 in Zaria Kaduna State, holds a Higher National Diploma (HND) and a Master of Fine Arts Degree (MFA) from Auchi Polytechnic and the University of Benin respectively and lives and runs his artist studio in Lagos. He was committed as a lecturer and was instrumental in the training of young artists in Auchi Polytechnic from 1985 – 1993. He is a deep and philosophical artist with passion in artistic research and experimentation, especially with colours and light. This aspect has been heightened by his long-term relationship with Professor Dr Bruce Onobrakpeya and the well known Harmattan Workshop, of which he currently is the artistic director.

Sam is a very well recognised and influential artist in the contemporary art space in Nigeria, not only known as the most expressive watercolourist and a leading master in colours and light, but also through his regular artist talks, the Harmattan workshop and his ongoing mentoring of many artists. His efforts in the area of watercolour and chalk pastel in the 1980’s popularized both materials as an acceptable painting medium within the art community in Nigeria and he is also very well recognized for his later oils and acrylics. 

Sam has been honoured with several academic awards and national prizes. His paintings are well received all over the world and he has participated in many solo and group exhibitions in Nigeria and abroad. Last year, he was honoured with a grand retrospective solo exhibition at Alexis Gallery in Lagos and at this moment his work is featured in the National museum in Lagos.