"In My Father's House"
By VICTOR EHIKHAMENOR
&
NEW WORKS
By STANLEY AGBONTAEN

July 18th- August 15th, 2009

Conversations with Victor Thursday, July 16th, 6-8pm

Left- The Heart of the King is in the Hands of God by Victor Ehikhamenor
Right- Rush Hour by Stanley Agbontaen

Victor Ehikhamenor was born in Udomi-Uwessan, Edo State. He graduated from BendelState University, Ekpoma (now Ambrose Alli University) with a BA degree in English and Literary Studies. He also holds an MS in Technology Management from University of Maryland, University College, Adelphi; and in 2006 the department of English at the University Of Maryland, College Park awarded him a fellowship/scholarship to pursue a Masters of Fine Art in Creative Writing.

A resident of the United States since 1996, he has been prolific in producing abstract, symbolic works with unmistakable ties to his Nigerian background. He has had numerous exhibitions with strong following mostly in US and Nigeria.

Terra Kulture recently hosted Ehikhamenor's largest solo exhibition ever - "Mirrors and Mirages". The week-long exhibition held in Victoria Island, Lagos brought crowds of collectors and was covered by major press. Ehikhamenor's most recent body of works featured in "In My Father's House" provides visual commentary on the issue of exploitation - from oil, to gold, to diamonds and the trail of blood and poverty that occur at the source of this "wealth".

Stanley Osaheni Agbontaen grew up on Benin City Edo state, South-south Nigeria. He began his training in the arts at The Creative Art Academy and before finishing his second year he gained admission to a national diploma in General & Fine Art in Auchi Polytechnic. He stood out as one of the best sculpting students of his time, though to much surprise, he majored in painting. During his studies he developed a strong passion for colors because they give him inner joy and fulfillment.

The US state department in 2007, nominated and sponsored Agbontaen on the International Visitor and Leadership Program. He toured nine states of the US in a workshop, Promoting Tolerance through the Arts. Agnontaen is a full time studio artist, participating in several group exhibitions including, Two American Icons & Six Young Nigerian Contemporary Artists, where he exhibited along side Jacob Lawrence an Lois Mailou Jones in 2006. He also had an exhibition in the US in February 2008 where it was put together by the International Visions Gallery.