Nigerian crypto-artist Osinachi’s NFT series Different Shades of Water on show at 1-54.

1-54 in collaboration with Christies presents an auction of Nigerian crypto-artist Osinachi‘s NFT series  Different Shades of Water. The digital artworks associated with the NFTs will be on view at 1-54 London  2021, curated by Daria Borisova. The online NFT auction will mark the first NFT by a contemporary  African artist offered by Christies in Europe and is the first NFT collaboration for 1-54. The digital artworks associated with the NFTs in Different Shades of Water will be exhibited at Somerset House during the fair, with the online-only auction for the NFTs, First Open: Post-War and Contemporary Art  Online, taking place from 5 to19 October. Christies partnership with 1-54 demonstrates the auction house’s commitment to showcasing contemporary African art to their global client base. This is in addition to the 1-54 Online Powered by Christies platform that enhances exposure internationally.  

Considered Africas foremost crypto artist, Osinachi (born Prince Jacon Osinachi Igwe, 1991), is a  Nigerian visual artist whose work explores personal experiences within a technological environment.  Aesthetically and procedurally, Osinachis work explores visible existence as protest by depicting and reimagining how individuals and collectives engage in advocacy for freedom of identity by thwarting societal expectations. This could be through the things they wear, the paraphernalia they adorn themselves with, or simply by being and existing in a form that society frowns upon. He was a finalist for the Bridgeman Studio Award 2019. 

The five NFTs from Osinachis ongoing series Different Shades of Water are inspired by David  Hockneys Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures) (1972). In this series, Osinachi imagines what the pool would look like with different shades of water, playing with the position of the subjects body,  and exploring how daylight can change our perception of water in a pool. He builds on his signature style to emphasise the relationship between person and water in a world where people have adapted to recreating nature and the natural body. Each piece is a commentary on the endless prioritisation of work and achievements over the wellbeing of the human body.  

From a technical point of view, the series is a triumph for Osinachi in his quest to digitally create a  believable water body across multiple digital paintings. He exclusively uses Microsoft Office to produce his work, pushing the programmes limited design capabilities. Osinachi believes each piece he creates is a challenge that empowers him to become an even better artist. 

For the first time, Christies will have a presence at an art fair with a booth showcasing Osinachis NFTs.  In addition, Osinachi will offer a cryptocurrency OSINA to reward visitors to the fair and encourage collectors to build a community, exploring and interacting with the world of crypto by scanning a QR  code to receive the OSINA via an app.  

A portion of the proceeds from Christie’s will be donated to the African Culture fund, a pan-African organisation supporting the arts education sectors and cultural and creative industries on the African continent. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the African Culture Fund has continued to support the resilience of African artists and cultural actors who the crisis has negatively impacted. 

1-54 Thursday 14th Sunday 17th October  Somerset House

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Mark Westall

Mark Westall is the Founder and Editor of FAD magazine Founder and co-publisher of Art of Conversation and founder of the platform @worldoffad