JOHNSON OCHEJA

Country

Nigeria

Biography

Born in 1993, Johnson Ocheja originates from the culturally rich Kogi State, Nigeria—a region nestled between Nigeria's powerhouses, Abuja and Lagos, and graced by the confluence of the Benue and Niger rivers. This dynamic region is also the heartbeat of the Igala ethnic community, to which Johnson proudly belongs. 

In his early years, at the age of 3, Johnson's journey took him from Kogi to the northern terrains of Kaduna State. He later circled back to his roots in Kogi State, pursuing a degree in Statistics at Kogi State University, from where he emerged with a Bachelor of Science in 2019. 

With a focus on portraiture, Johnson honed his craft through avidly consuming YouTube tutorials. His signature style involves meticulous depictions of black individuals using a prominent blue hue. Occasionally, he employs an impasto method, applying acrylic or oil paint directly with his fingers. This creates unique patterns on his subjects' skin, evoking images of scarification—a timeless African cultural tradition signifying affiliation or rites of passage. 

Johnson's creative influences include illustrious contemporary African portraitists and those of African descent, such as Amoako Boafo, Peter Uka, and Gerald Lovell. 

For Ocheja, art transcends mere self-expression—it's a vibrant dialogue with the world. His pieces not only celebrate black beauty and consciousness but also resonate with the multi-faceted narratives and diversities in today's Nigerian society, a society steeped in historical richness and teeming with cultural, political, religious, ethnic, and racial vibrancy.