Duke Asidere

Duke Asidere, born in 1961, is a highly acclaimed contemporary artist from Nigeria, renowned both locally and internationally. He achieved a first-class honors Bachelor of Arts degree in Fine Arts (painting) from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, in 1988, and later pursued a Masters of Fine Arts in painting from the same university in 1990. After five years of teaching painting, drawing, and art history at the Federal Auchi Polytechnic, he embarked on full-time studio work in Lagos in 1995.

Under the mentorship of Prof. Bruce Onabrakpeya and the guidance of Gani Odutokun, Duke Asidere’s artistic expression evolved significantly. His diverse artistic repertoire includes pencil work, engravings, oil and acrylic paintings, pastels, and transparencies. A significant aspect of his art revolves around the portrayal of the female form, possibly influenced by his upbringing in a household of women. Additionally, Asidere explores the themes of African landscapes, cityscapes, and architecture, infusing his works with underlying political statements.

As a respected artist, Asidere has been actively involved in numerous local and international workshops focused on painting, photography, and drawing. Notably, he played a key role in facilitating the “Colour Masters” workshop at Auchi Polytechnic in March 2011, and he continues to contribute to the annual Harmattan Workshop Series.