ISIMI TAIWO

Isimi Taiwo popularly known as ISIMISM is a native of Kogi state, Nigeria. As a forerunner of hyperrealism in Nigeria he focuses on the hyper realistic conceptualization and mind bending surrealistic approach of visually expressing his emotions, life experiences and important messages or stories using “water” an important element in the sustainability of life on earth from which his inspiration is drawn from. His versatility however keeps him in the practice of other movements including abstract. He works with other different mediums but he is best known for his oil on canvas and pencil works.

Taiwo studied Mechanical Engineering but along the course of the program he realised his passion for the art and made a big decision to change to Creative Art in his final year in Mechanical Engineering by transferring to the Department of Creative Arts to pursue his dreams of becoming a career artist. Today, Isimi Taiwo is a graduate of the Department of Creative Art 2009 and also a Masters degree (M.A)  holder in Creative Art (painting) from the University of Lagos. He is a member of The Society of Nigerian Artists (SNA). He has been called up to many exhibitions and symposiums as guest speaker to encourage the youths on their journey to becoming a career artist.

Taiwo has had several joint exhibition in prestigious galleries like Terrakulture and Nike Art Gallery including the first Nigerian hyperrealism exhibition “INSANITY” at Omenka Gallery. Isimi Taiwo has won several competitions and awards like the 17th Quadrangular games, OYA awards and the CFA awards for best artist of the year 2016 and 2018 respectively, Fine Art America 2019 Billboard contest winner amongst others, Boynes emerging artist finalist 2021, Dangote salt Art competition 3rd place 2021 winner, Artdex 4th place 2021 winner, Art Show International Gallery First Prize winner 2022, and many more. He has executed several portrait commissions of notable people over the years and has a large portfolio of works covering other fields of art he delved into during the course of his career as a professional artist till date.