Veteran Nigerian Visual Artist Zinno Orara Dies at 60

4 months ago 108

Veteran Nigerian visual artist, Zinno Orara, has passed away at the age of 60.

The announcement was made by his colleague, Gab Awusa, on Wednesday via Facebook.

“My friend, my brother has gone home to be with the Lord … .Rest in peace Zinno Orara,” Awusa posted.

Meanwhile, another colleague, Biodun Omolayo, the founder of Omotayo Art Gallery, also mourned Orara on Facebook, praising him as “a brilliant visual artist, philosopher, and mentor.”

“Zinno Orara, thank you for adding colours to the lives of others even when you were going through your silent pains,” Omolayo wrote.

He recalled Orara’s contributions to the Young at the Art Creative Workshop and his last major exhibition, “DIALOGUE,” at the National Museum in Lagos.

Orara was born in 1964 in Benin, Edo State. A graduate of Auchi Polytechnic’s School of Art and Design, he had been a full-time studio artist since 1988. His first solo exhibition, “Metamorphosis,” was held at Didi Museum in 1991.

Over his career, Orara staged 13 solo exhibitions and participated in over 20 collaborations, with his work displayed in Nigeria and internationally, including South Africa, Germany, the UK, Sweden, Spain, and the USA.