Isaac Emokpae
Isaac Emokpae (born Isaac Iken Ismahil Ọláminíyì Erhabor Ogieva Emokpae on November 5, 1977) is a Nigerian visual artist, painter, and photographer. His work is defined by duality and is known for its expressionist and surrealist features.
Also recorded as Isaac Iken Ismahil Ọláminíyì Erhabor Ogieva Emokpae · Iken Erhabor-Emokpae · Isaac Erhabor Emokpae · Iken Emokpae
Isaac Emokpae

Isaacemokpae · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Name
- Isaac Emokpae
- Birth Name
- Isaac Iken Ismahil Ọláminíyì Erhabor Ogieva Emokpae
- Born
- 5 November 1977
- Birthplace
- Lagos, Nigeria
- Education
- University of Lagos
- Occupation
- Photographer, painter, visual artist
- Nationality
- Nigeria.
VALÉORINE Encyclopedia
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Documentary summary
Isaac Emokpae (born Isaac Iken Ismahil Ọláminíyì Erhabor Ogieva Emokpae on November 5, 1977) is a Nigerian visual artist, painter, and photographer. His work is defined by duality and is known for its expressionist and surrealist features.
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Note VALÉORINE
Isaac Emokpae (born 1977) is an artist and photographer, of Nigerian nationality. The artist was born in Lagos. Isaac Emokpae was educated at University of Lagos.
Composed from admitted, traceable facts · 26 September 2026
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wikidata · Q48688186 · wikipedia · Isaac Emokpae
In this article
Key facts
Key facts
• Name — Isaac Emokpae • Birth Name — Isaac Iken Ismahil Ọláminíyì Erhabor Ogieva Emokpae • Born — 5 November 1977 • Birthplace — Lagos, Nigeria • Other Names — Iken Erhabor-Emokpae, Isaac Erhabor Emokpae, Iken Emokpae • Education — University of Lagos • Occupation — Photographer, painter, visual artist • Parents — Erhabor Emokpae
Biography and work
Biography and work
Emokpae has a BA in Creative Arts at the University of Lagos (2005), studying under the guidance of Professor Abayomi Barber but made his mark in the Nigerian creative scene first, most notably, as a photographer. He workedfor a while in fashion photography and journalistic photography, making a significant mark in the field to have been once regarded as a "veteran". His photographs have been used in Forbes magazine among other places. His paintings and visual art are peculiar in their focus on duality and their root the style of Abstract Expressionism. His work have been exhibited in Nigeria and around the world. Emokpae is the third son of Erhabor Emokpae, notable Nigerian painter and sculptor popularly regarded as one of the pioneers of modern arts in Nigeria. Like his father, Emokpae strongly "combines his poetic depth with artistic flair" He is said to be inspired by the philosophies of Leibniz, Descartes and Santayana.
Selected exhibitions
Selected exhibitions
Nigeria Imaginary - MOWAA (Museum of West African Art), Benin City, Edo state. (2025)Nigeria Imaginary at MOWAA • Transparent - Rele Art Gallery, Onikan, Lagos. (2017) • Strip - Rele Art Gallery, Onikan, Lagos (2015) • Duality - The Wheat Baker, Ikoyi, Lagos (2014) • Reconstruction in Reverse - Omenka Gallery, Ikoyi, Lagos (2010). • Genesis (Solo exhibition), Terra Kulture, VI, Lagos (2005) • Signs of the Times, Didi Museum, Lagos – (2000), Salon Event, Bungalow, VI, Lagos (2004) • Abayomi Barber Honorary Exhibition (Group Exhibition) at Faculty of Arts, University of Lagos, Nigeria. (2002) • CCIC VI Artists (Group Exhibition) at Didi Museum, Lagos, Nigeria. (2000) • Exchange of Our Treasures (Group Exhibition) at UNESCO, Troyes, France. (1996/97) • Peace on Earth/Save our Earth (Group Exhibition) at Lions Group, Ilorin, Nigeria. (1990)
Identity
Identity
Isaac Emokpae is recorded with the occupation photographer. Recorded as photographer and artist. Identity and origins. The authorities additionally record the headings Isaac Iken Ismahil Ọláminíyì Erhabor Ogieva Emokpae, Iken Erhabor-Emokpae, Isaac Erhabor Emokpae and Iken Emokpae. He was the child of Erhabor Emokpae.
Life and career
Dated record
Life and career
The full dated record · 1 entries
1977
Isaac Emokpae was born on 5 November 1977.
Primary material
Documents and archives
authority record
- Wikidata, structured authority record Q48688186: Isaac Emokpae
General reference · Wikidata
reference work
- “Isaac Emokpae”, English Wikipedia, consulted as further reading
Reputable secondary · Wikipedia
Awards
• 2007 – Hasselblad Masters, Semi-finalist. • 1996 – UNESCO Exchange Our Treasures Art Competition.
Notes from the source article
Cited by Wikipedia
Notes from the source article
These works are cited by the source article, in its own numbering. They are recorded as its citations, not as sources VALÉORINE has verified.
- 1.Africanartswithtaj. African Arts with Taj: How Duality strokes of Emokpae see two sides of nature. African Arts with Taj. May 3, 2014.
- 2.Shuaib, Gidado. Stop dreaming of jobs that are not there, Artist advise youths' — Youths Digest. Youths Digest. April 2, 2017.
- 3.Kelechi Amadi-Obi, Ade Plumptre, Body Lawson & Isaac Emokpae – Click to see line-up on Rubbin' Minds today » YNaija. YNaija. April 2, 2012.
- 4.Eytan, Declan. Nigeria's Leading Doll Brand is Coming to America. Forbes.
- 5.2017 art year: The rundown continues. The Guardian.
- 6.Nigeria: Iken Erhabor-Emokpae – A Chip Off the Block. This Day (Lagos). March 7, 2005.
- 7.Erhabor-Emokpae… A Quintessential Artist : Nigerian Latest News Papers News Online. www.nigerianbestforum.com.
- 9.Like father, like son – The Nation Nigeria. The Nation. April 9, 2014.
- 10.Oyewole, Nurudeen. Emokpae stages first solo exhibition in grand style. Daily Trust. April 13, 2014.
- 11.RELE OPENS TRANSPARENT BY ISAAC EMOKPAE – Olori Supergal. Olori Supergal. November 2, 2017.
- 12.Review Of Strip In the Sunday Guardian. WanaWana. June 3, 2015.
- 13.Enwonwu, Oliver. Isaac Emokpae: Duality – Omenka Online. www.omenkaonline.com.
- 14.Unigwe, Chidinma. 5 Artists That Are Holding Africa's Art Industry To Sway And Should Be Looked Out For In 2017 [PHOTOS] » Thesheet.ng. Thesheet.ng. January 2, 2017.
References
Citations
References
Each reference names the institution holding it, so a reader may go to the document itself.
authority record
Secondary witnessreference work
Secondary witness
The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 17 August 2026.
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