Tonye Ekine 'If I had to chose' Size: 90cm x 90cm Medium: Acrylic on Linen
The first exhibition to showcase artists from the UK public relations (PR) industry, ‘The Art of PR’, will open to the public for a week in London this November at The Coningsby Gallery, London from 18th to 23rd November 2024. This diverse and vibrant exhibition, open to the public and free to view, will display a collection of original contemporary works in various media, including oils, watercolors, pencils, digital art, print design, and photography. The exhibition, supported by communications agency Boldspace, will also feature live portrait drawings by the artist and PR Joe Thomas in the gallery. In our series of special features, we shine the spotlight on artist Tonye Ekine.
Tonye Ekine graduated in Fine Art from Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile-Ife, Nigeria, in 2014. He initially built a successful career in applied arts, focusing on design, advertising, public relations, media, communications, radio, television, music, and broadcasting. Throughout his career, he has collaborated with brands such as Immensum Music and Amplify Africa, and has developed music discovery platforms including Aux Africa, Clout, and Glitch Africa.
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
Tonye made a significant move to London in 2021 and was accepted into the MA Fine Art: Drawing course at Camberwell College of Arts, graduating in 2022. He worked with MWW for a while, while exhibiting in several group exhibitions including ’This Art’ in Shoreditch curated by Laura Porter and Jonathan Hillson, ‘Brick+Glass Ceilings’ curated by Sarah Woodbine & Geraint Evans, and ‘Church/Factory’ in Copeland gallery and exhibited with Steingold Contemporary in a group exhibition entitled Haven in Leytonstone.
Tonye explores the concept of identity through masks, shedding light on the way we interact and hide our true intentions behind masks in our everyday lives. His thought-provoking pieces ignite conversations about authenticity and the layers of humanity that lie beneath the surface. Tonye is a visual learner, so he consumes a lot of content that helps him gain insight into significant events.
Apart from his artistic pursuits, Tonye finds peace in anime, music, swimming, cycling, and dancing. He is currently working towards a collaboration with ASAR, Millicent Sanders, and The Collective Makers which will be unveiled later on in the year.
For further information on the artist, please visit the following links:
The free exhibition is open to the public between 18th and 23rd November 2024 at The Coningsby Gallery, 30 Tottenham Street, London. Artworks will be available for sale. The Private View event will take place Tuesday 19th November 5.30pm – 9pm.
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