Former veterinarian Luke Chidiebube Agada has emerged as a rising star in the art world. Born in Lagos in 1992, Agada’s journey from self-taught artist to acclaimed painter, as captured by artsy.net, has captivated the attention of galleries and collectors alike.
Agada’s unconventional path led him from veterinary medicine to the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, where he completed his MFA in 2023. His bold career shift is now bearing fruit with his first Los Angeles solo exhibition, “Between Two Suns,” opening at Roberts Projects on September 28th.
Drawing inspiration from Surrealism and his Nigerian roots, Agada’s paintings feature spectral figures in domestic settings, exploring themes of displacement and identity. His unique style, characterised by dreamlike ambiguity and colours reminiscent of Lagos, has garnered significant attention in the art community.
Following a successful US solo debut in Chicago last year, Agada’s work was showcased at Art Basel Miami Beach, where it received critical acclaim. As anticipation builds for his upcoming Los Angeles exhibition, Agada’s rapid ascent in the art world continues to defy expectations, marking him as an artist to watch in the coming years.
- Featured image: Portrait of Luke Chidiebube Agada/Robert Chase Heishman/Courtesy of the artist and Roberts Projects, Los Angeles, California
