Meet the Nigerian visual artist turning coffee into fine art
After accidentally spilling some coffee on his notebook several years ago, Nigerian visual artist Ekene Ngige began painting with the beverage. Titled "A Cup of Truce," this piece is created from coffee and an installed plastic tray on canvas.
Ekene Ngige
Ngige mixes coffee grounds with water, creating a jelly-like paste that allows him to paint with it -- sketching with a pencil first and then layering it with different shades of his coffee mixtures.
Ekene Ngige
On average, it takes him between two weeks and a month to finish his coffee portraits, such as this one called "Bond" -- dedicated "to all the beautiful mothers out there," he writes in an Instagram post that accompanied this piece.
Ekene Ngige
"Caffeine of Afrobeat" is a tribute to legendary Nigerian musician Fela Kuti and includes whole coffee beans.
Ekene Ngige
In this piece, called "Healing," Ngige again uses whole beans for detail and texture in the hair. The coffee beans were locally sourced from Happy Coffee Nigeria, he said.
Ekene Ngige
"Till Death Do Us Part" depicts two people wearing masks during the pandemic and features a blend of painted coffee and beans.
Ekene Ngige
Through some of his work, the artist shares a message of peace, encouraging people to forget their differences and embrace serenity. One of his portrait collections, called "Peace Makers," features notable figures such as Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai and former South African president Nelson Mandela. "We need more mighty heroes in this world today like these beautiful people here," he writes on Instagram.
Ekene Ngige
"Peace Offerings" is one of Ngige's favorite artworks. "The best part of creating art is being able to reach the whole world," he told CNN. "I have had calls and messages from all around the world, from people that have been touched by the topics of the paintings I make ... it makes me feel like I am fulfilling a purpose."
Ekene Ngige
"The world at large has been suffering from terrorism, racism and tribalism," Ngige said. "I've been painting pictures that will reach people and touch their hearts."
