Japa (Taking Off) Painting

MICHAEL ECHEKOBA Michael was born in East Dulwich, London and raised in Nigeria where he had most of his education. Soon after graduating from Institute of Management and Technology (IMT) Enugu, Nigeria (1990) and majoring in graphics (with special interest in painting), Michael embarked on a distinguished career in advertising where he rose to a senior executive position. Alongside his corporate career in advertising, Michael continued to paint. He participated in several solo and group exhibitions before relocating to the UK, his country of birth. In 2005 he obtained Diploma in Multi Media at London College of Communication and in (2014) he obtained PGCE from Greenwich University London. Michael effortlessly moves between designing, painting and printmaking. Michael’s works is influenced by lecturers he studied under namely, Nsikak Essien and Boniface Okafor and recently Albert Irwin whom he came across while researching online. His choice of style mostly based on the subject, concept and message he wishes to convey. In recent times has evolved in style and content and seem to explore narratives that touch on social-political events of present times all over the world. Michael also enjoys experimenting with unconventional techniques to create stylised suggestive imagery. He also integrates a range of media, materials and subject matter. Michael’s works have been included in exhibitions, in London, New York, Houston Texas, Swaziland and Malaysia and he is widely collected by private and corporate bodies. In 2003 Michael was commissioned by the Commonwealth Partnership for Technology Management to paint the official mask of art for the former Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dr. Mahatia Mohammed and King Mswati III. Michael is a member of the Thames Valley Print Making Association Woolwich, 5th Vision Group in Lagos, Nigeria and Nigeria Art Society UK. Michael has been part of an annual group exhibition with his society (Nigeria Art Society UK) SINCE 2013