MICHAEL IGWE
Too Much Weight, 2023
Acrylic on canvas
31.9 × 26 in. (81 x 66 cm)
Total Price : £7,600
16 NAACKETS
Too Much Weight, 2023
Acrylic on canvas
31.9 × 26 in. (81 x 66 cm)
Total Price : £7,600
16 NAACKETS
Too Much Weight, 2023
Acrylic on canvas
31.9 × 26 in. (81 x 66 cm)
Total Price : £7,600
16 NAACKETS
About Michael
Michael Igwe (b. 1994, Lagos, Nigeria) is a Nigerian painter based in New York, USA.
Michael works with painting. His work explores the fluidity of the human form and inner life. Drawing on his personal experiences and Nigerian heritage, Igwe’s paintings are a meditation on selfhood, often referencing the nonlinear storytelling tradition of "Iko-Nke Annang." His process emphasizes experimentation and primal gestures, allowing each piece to serve as a reflection on form, subjectivity, and transcendence. Igwe’s work has been exhibited in solo and group exhibitions across Africa, Europe, and the United States. He holds a BFA from the University of Benin and is currently pursuing an MFA at Columbia University School of the Arts. Igwe has been awarded several grants and fellowships, including The Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation Grant and a fellowship at the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture.
Why we like it
Michael has a unique style, with a highly developed technique for a painter of his age.
Michael is attending the Columbia University MFA, one of the most respected art programs in the U.S.A.
While still in the depths of his studies, Michael has already exhibited with Tiwani this year, a gallery known for spotting talent and taking their artist to the next level.
His exhibition history includes a very strong selection of galleries, Sean Kelly, Rele, Superzoom, and Tiwani.
He already has shows lined up for 2025 and 2026 with Tiwani, including a solo show and works at London’s major art fair Frieze.
His instagram following is impressive, with major collectors keeping a close eye on his posts.
Education
2024-2026 MFA - Columbia University New York NY, USA
2023 - Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture, Skowhegan, Maine, USA
2014 - 2018 - BFA, University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria
Awards
2024 - Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation, Recipient
2024 - Dean Carol Becker Fellowship, Recipient (Columbia University) 2023 Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture, Skowhegan fellowship,Recipient, Maine, USA
2023 - Superzoom residency, Ardèche, France
2020 - Rele Arts Foundation Young Contemporaries Residency, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria
2020 - Tilga Fund for the Arts Grant
Selected Solo & Group Exhibitions
2026 - Tiwani Contemporary, London, UK (Forthcoming)
2025 - Tiwani Contemporary (Forthcoming)
2025 - Frieze London, Tiwani Contemporary, London (Forthcoming)
2025 - Art X Lagos, Tiwani Contemporary, (Forthcoming)
2024 - Press Release ( Cycle XIII) Storage Archive, NY
2024 - Art X Lagos, Tiwani Contemporary, Lagos, Nigeria
2024 - It Never Entered My Mind, Sean Kelly Gallery, LA
2024 - Double Vision, Plato Gallery, NY
2023 - Factory Reset Continued - König Gallery Berlin, Germany
2023 - Tantrum - superzoom Paris, France
2023 - INTI-PUNKU, Strouk Gallery Paris, France
2022 - ArtBasel OVR:2021, solo Rele Gallery online Booth, Online
2022 - The Armory Show, group show Rele Gallery Booth, New York, USA
What others are saying
"Primed For Success, Michael Igwe Stomps Onto The Global Stage", This Day, Feb. 2022
"Five emerging artists to watch in ‘OVR:2021’", Emily McDermott, Art Basel, Feb. 2022
“Columbia Artists Awarded The 2024 Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation Grant”, October 2024
What is included
The value of the artwork (£5,650 incl. VAT)
Collection, crating, shipping & import duties (£1,035 incl. VAT)
Condition report and photography (£350 incl. VAT)
10% Admin fee to cover insurance and storage (£565 incl. VAT)