Can we please retweet the hell out of Nigerian painter Oresegun Olumides work. DAMN 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/thngnCcrKs
— Donovan Goliath (@DonovanGoliath) February 23, 2018
When comedian Donovan Goliath shared life like paintings by Nigerian artist Oresegun Olumide, Twitter users could hardly believe they weren’t still photographs.
Olumide told CNN in 2016 that his oil paintings are “a gradual process” that take two to three weeks to complete.
“And depending on the intricacy I want to achieve, it can take a couple of months,” he said.
Oluminde, who takes inspiration from his community, also discussed his water use saying the translucent effect is “why it’s difficult for many people to do.”
His goal is to create artwork that not only challenges him but is also something his community has never seen.
And from the looks of the reactions on Twitter, many outside of his home have never seen art quite like his, either.
“You mean Nigerian photographer Oresegun Olumide?” one tweeted.
Another joked, “I don’t trust Nigerians, why does it look so real?”
“My brain 🧠 is struggling to comprehend what I’m seeing,” said someone else.
A different Twitter user remarked on the realistic appearance of the water, which Olumide told CNN was a recurring theme in his work because of the Yoruba adage “water has no enemy.”
“How does he get the water look like water, fall like water and reflect light like water?” she tweeted. “Wow!!! Double wow!!! Actually WOWZA.”
But it’s not just Olumide who is getting the shine. Other Nigerian-created hyper-realistic art has been shared, too.
Coloured pencil drawings by @ayodraws pic.twitter.com/18e5phT2av
— Olaloye Bunmi 🎨 (@gangwolf360) February 23, 2018
Oil paintings by @ayogukfineart pic.twitter.com/Osj7IWmyxW
— Olaloye Bunmi 🎨 (@gangwolf360) February 24, 2018
Beautiful…. Please check another Nigerian Painter “Silas Onoja” His work is Amazing… pic.twitter.com/mXL0qvzEZC
— Eric Cantona (@Oageng01860145) February 23, 2018
