From Sketch To Stage: Meet The Nigerian Finalists Of The Red Bull Global Doodle Art Competition

Nigeria has some of the most talented and passionate doodlers in the world, and their creativity has once again been recognized by the Red Bull Global Doodle Art competition. Every year, this international competition invites young artists from over 50 countries to showcase their skills on a global stage, and Nigerian artists have consistently put their best foot forward and impressed the judges with their unique and vibrant artwork, earning a spot as a finalist in several editions of the competition. 

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the young and talented Nigerian finalists of the 2023 Red Bull Global Doodle Art competition, their journey to the finals, and the inspiration behind their outstanding work.

Mayowa Joshua Elewononi

I started exploring art as a second nature when I was very young, and as I’ve grown, I’ve tried out varieties of mediums. The ability to convey a message, emotions, and eccentric movement inspires me to make art. 

Sylvester Ekanem 

I’ve been drawing since I was 3 years old (started out by drawing on my mom’s walls, sorry, not sorry mom), but I started digital art officially in 2017. I am artistic excellence personified. I always say art, music, and film are my entire life in three words (I love anything concerning the arts). Art and nature around me inspire me 

Olapegba Mololuwa

I’m 18 years old, and I truly started trying out artworks in 2020 during the pandemic. I’m inspired by scattered arrangements of random things, grunge and skater fashion, music, wild colors, and neo-expressionism.

Michael “MIKEDAWN” Uzomah

I am 20, and I started drawing in August 2022 . I’ve always had a deep connection with art, I’m a visual and audio artist, and I try my best to explain emotions, mental disorders, and the range of the mind in my pieces. My inspiration as of recent comes from psychedelic experiences from others & neuroplasticity of the mind. 

Oluwabukola Aderibigbe

I am a medical student at Baze University. I’ve been drawing and sketching for as long as I can remember, but I never actually ‘knew‘ how to draw by societal standards. And then, one day in Jss2, I was in art class doodling these lines and patterns on my notebook, and my art teacher saw it and advised me to explore art properly. I guess I never actually gave it much attention. I just enjoy doodling. It makes me less anxious, and it has a way of easing the pressures of medical school and basically the pressures of life as a whole. 

Abdulmuizz Adebowale Debo-oke.

I am 22 years old and I hail from Abeokuta, Ogun state. I am a lover of art and a self–taught pencil artist. My inspiration comes from nature, human figures, emotions, and God. I have been drawing since I was four years old, but I would say my major art exposure started in 2019. Along with pencil drawing, I also use a variety of media to create paintings. I just make art !!! 

Ogbonna Adaure 

I got into drawing at age 7 but took it seriously when I was 17. What inspires me? I’ve always been a fan of anime and that art style. The stories they convey are able to shift people’s perception of the world and show new ways of doing things. I want my art and story to also have that effect on people. 

Oluwapelumi Adekanye 

I started my artsy lifestyle consciously at 6 years old, I get inspired by the endless flow of thoughts, ideas, and energy around the world. I’m pretty much big on “no bounds to creativity” 

King-David

I am 22 years old and I started creating art to express my thoughts and idea, I found my safe space on the canvas. 

Oluwatomiwo Ilori 

I started art very early when I was about 6-7 years old. For me, art is a way of life, and I get inspired by the endless ways of expressing myself, ideas, and thoughts through art. 

Eniola Jada Kay-Olawale 

Since I was a young child, art has always held a special place in my heart. I’ve always enjoyed doodling and colouring, especially in children’s colouring books, which allowed me alot of creative and imaginative freedom. I think that on paper, rather than in words or other written forms, lines and visual representations best describe and express who I am as a person. 

Hermann Paul Ayomiposi.

I am a final- year student in the Department of Communication and Language Arts, at the University of Ibadan. I’ve always been an art enthusiast ever since I was little. The idea of limitless creativity is what fascinates me about art. I just love it. 

Daramfon Ini Umoh 

I believe everyone is born an artist, but many forget as they grow. I decided not to. The more mature and conscious I became, the more effort I put into exploring, mastering, and innovating art. I’m inspired by the infinite nature and power of imagination! 

Adekoya Ayomikun Oreoluwa 

I am an artist born with the urge to create beauty on paper. From a young age, I would spend hours doodling and sketching, exploring different techniques and styles. As I grew older, my passion for art only intensified, and I began experimenting with more complex mediums like digital painting and animations. 

Today, I am a dedicated artist, constantly pushing myself to create new and exciting works that capture the essence of my vision. My art is my life, and I can’t imagine doing anything else. 

Ene Ola 

The thing is I’m not really into art but my friend urged me to draw something so I did. 

Akinboade Tobiloba Emmanuel 

I started exploring my art at the age of 5, I get inspired by other people’s work, nature and lifestyle. I believe art is an expression of creativity inherent in every man. 

David Alfa

I’m 19, and I have been doing art since I was a child. I live in Abuja, and I go to school at the Federal University, Lokoja. 

Painting brings me peace and offers me a place to meditate on the beauty in the world, the grace I feel while living in it, creating worlds and manipulating my imagination into something beautiful. 

Dominic Moses

I have been an artist since I was a child. I  am 19 years old and what inspires me most times is my mood, environment, and sometimes movies and songs.