Cletus Oche claimed the top prize at the seventh edition of the Next of Kin Series, with a riveting final exhibition at the Thought Pyramid Art Centre in Ikoyi.
The juried competition, which aims to identify and nurture emerging talent in Nigeria’s visual art scene, delivered one of its most fiercely contested editions to date.
Oche, a multidisciplinary artist based in Abuja, distinguished himself from a pool of 20 finalists. His work draws from hyperrealism, surrealism, and contemporary aesthetics, showcasing both maturity and a bold, experimental confidence. Although he holds a formal background in science, he has steadily built a visual language shaped by intuition, sound, and memory.
As a self-taught musician and multi-instrumentalist, Oche frequently integrates rhythm and musical structure into his compositions, creating a sensory experience that extends beyond the canvas.
The competition narrowed from twenty to five finalists after a nationwide online voting process. Alongside Oche were Uhule Nguemo Martha, Okeke Maduabuchi, Olatunde Emmanuel, and Ibrahim Abiola Falilat, all of whom presented striking, thought-provoking works rooted in personal and national themes. Oche’s trio of works, including Dreams of Defiants and Yet I Will Be Lifted, revealed an artist who is unafraid to interrogate silence, vulnerability, and resistance. He approached each canvas with precision and intention, layering ink and acrylic in a way that demanded thoughtful engagement.
In 2018, Nigeria’s Thought Pyramid Art Centre launched the Next of Kin (NOK) Series to nurture and showcase emerging African artists. This annual competition has propelled talents like Anthonia Nneji, Ikechukwu Ezeigwe, and Christian Allison into the spotlight. The competition has also expanded to include artists from across Africa, emphasizing the continent’s rich creative diversity. More than an art program, the NOK Series invests in Africa’s visual art future by promoting originality and innovation.
