Anthony Azekwoh: The Digital Painter of Myth and Memory

LovabledanielsMarch 19, 2025127 Views

In the fluid world of contemporary African art, Anthony Azekwoh stands as a force redefining how history, mythology, and identity are told through digital strokes. His work is both ancient and futuristic, a seamless blend of the old gods and the new world, reinterpreting African folklore with a painter’s precision and a storyteller’s depth.

Born in Lagos, Nigeria, in 2000, Azekwoh’s journey into the arts was not conventional. He began as a writer, weaving tales before turning his imagination toward digital canvases. A self-taught artist, he honed his craft in a space where formal art training was not a prerequisite for greatness. His hunger for creative expression led him to leave his studies in chemical engineering at Covenant University in 2019, an audacious move that proved to be the ignition of a meteoric rise.

At the heart of his artistry lies an obsession with storytelling; figures from history and mythology take new forms under his brush. His works summon the presence of Orishas, forgotten warriors, and the spirits of African legends, breathing life into them with an almost haunting intensity. Sold for $25,419, The Red Man, one of his most famous pieces, became emblematic of his ability to create work that feels both mystical and immediate.

Anthony Azekwoh‘s talent has found a home in multiple spaces: the world of NFTs, the covers of books, and more recently, the music industry. His signature style, a fusion of realism, surrealism, and folklore has made him a sought-after collaborator for musicians looking to extend their sonic storytelling into the visual realm. He has worked on cover art for artists such as Adekunle Gold, Show Dem Camp, Blaqbonez, and Masego, each piece adding a new layer of depth to their musical narratives. His recent collaboration on Young Jonn’s ‘Jiggy Forever‘ album cover is yet another prove of his ability to translate ideas into striking imagery.

But beyond the aesthetics, Anthony Azekwoh’s work represents a reclamation. His paintings remind us that African mythology is not a relic but a living, breathing force. His digital brushstrokes stretch across time, pulling the past into the present and refusing to let history fade into obscurity.

His foray into literature mirrors this same ethos. His novel ‘The Fall of the Gods’ is another extension of his world-building, proving that his artistry isn’t confined to a single medium. Through words and visuals, Anthony Azekwoh continues to carve out a space where African narratives are seen, felt, and immortalised.