Painting from life
Gbenga
Ilumoka
Portraits, landscapes and still lifes in oils and acrylics. Ilumoka paints from life, drawing on his own experience of growing up Black in Britain.
View works
The gallery
Selected works
The artist
In the studio
Ilumoka works directly from his subjects, whether he is painting a sitter over several sessions, an olive tree in Cómpeta or a group of objects in the studio. His paintings explore family, faith and Black British life. He has written about wanting to see Black people occupy a more central place in British museums and galleries.
He studied fine art at Middlesex University and went on to postgraduate study at the Royal Drawing School. He learned the craft of painting from Robert Lenkiewicz and Nahem Shoa and has taught painting and life drawing.
Exhibitions & talks
Public record
- The Inspiration Behind the Man & His ArtLeadenhall Live, London · Talk and art display
- Seen and UnseenFerens Art Gallery, Hull · Group exhibition
- Ruth Borchard Self-Portrait PrizeThe Atkinson, Southport · Group exhibition
- Notting Hill GroupTablet Gallery · Group exhibition
- True to LifeHerbert Art Gallery, Coventry · Group exhibition
- Uncompromising StudyHartlepool Art Gallery · Group exhibition
- This is What I SeeMillinery Works, London · Solo exhibition
- A Passion for SeeingMillinery Works, Islington · Solo exhibition
- Royal Society of Portrait PaintersMall Galleries, London · Group exhibition
- Contemporary British ArtMillinery Works, Islington · Group exhibition
- Contemporary British ArtMillinery Works, Islington · Group exhibition
- Gentlemen. A Painting ExhibitionTablet Gallery · Black History Month
- Behind the MaskMillinery Works, Islington · Solo exhibition
- Group ShowMillinery Works, Islington
Education
- 2004 · Postgraduate study in drawing, Royal Drawing School
- 2002 · City & Guilds Initial Teaching Certificate in Basic Skills
- 1997–2000 · BA (Hons) Fine Art, Middlesex University
- 1986–1987 · BTEC National Diploma in General Art and Design, Chelsea School of Art
Teaching
- 2007–2009 · Life drawing and painting, Art Academy, London
- 2007–2008 · Royal Drawing School
- 1998–2002 · Assistant tutor to Nahem Shoa
Commissions
A painting of your own
Ilumoka takes commissions for portraits, including family portraits and pets. He can work from a photograph. To discuss a painting, send a short note about the subject, the size you have in mind and any photographs you would like him to work from.
Enquire by email →
From the archive
Posts, films and related work
Films
Artwork records
Portraits of Ilumoka by Nahem Shoa
Ilumoka sat for his friend and fellow painter Nahem Shoa over many years. Shoa’s portraits of him are documented by galleries including The Box in Plymouth and the Herbert in Coventry.