Johnson Ocheja (b. 1993) is a Nigerian artist from Kogi, Nigeria. Johnson’s portraits highlight black consciousness and black beauty. His paintings depict detailed scenes of black subject with blue pigment andin impasto technique created with his fingers, thereby producing marks off on the skin of his subject inspired by scarification. The marks represent an African cultural practice which shows a person#s rank in society, family, clan, tribe and symbolizes their beauty or strength and the blue pigment on the skin of his subjects symbolizes royalty. His works challenge the conventional standard of beauty and are inspired by his environment, the community and from other artists such as Gerald Lovell, Amoako Boafo, etc. He has lived in Kaduna, Nigeria and living in two different states has provided him with knowledge of diversity in subjects including cultural beliefs, religion, ethnic identities, and racism. Thus, he uses his art to address these issues affecting his community. Johnson currently lives and works in Nigeria.

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Presence of the artist with the friendly support by AG 18 Gallery