Ken Nwadiogbu’s contemporealism brought a breath of fresh air to the Embankment Galleries at Somerset House through his exhibition titled “PORTRAIT OF A TOP BOY” for the Netflix series “TOP BOY.” This exhibition, curated by the creative Ronan Mckenzie, featured Ken alongside 15 other talented artists.

“The Portrait of a Top Boy” is a film commission by Netflix as part of the campaign for the final season of “TOP BOY.” Ken was tasked with creating a portrait of Stef, one of the main characters in the show. Stef’s portrayal in the painting was meticulously crafted, with a particular focus on rendering his eyes realistically. This attention to detail served as a bridge to connect viewers with the energy and essence of Stef’s character.

Ken Nwadiogbu is a Nigerian-born, London-based multidisciplinary artist who recently earned a Masters in Painting from the Royal College of Art, London. His impressive body of work has been featured in notable exhibitions, including the Royal Academy of Arts, Scope Miami, Prizm Art Fair, and Art X Lagos. He has collaborated with renowned brands such as Martell, Netflix, MacMillan, and many others.

Ken’s artistic vision often involves creating large-scale works to enhance the visibility and status of his subjects, who are often migrants or individuals facing challenging circumstances, similar to Stef.

In Ken’s words, “In a broader context, the idea of self – whether it’s mine or someone else’s – as portrayed in my work, signifies our unique experiences related to identity, representation, migration, displacement, and socio-political crises.” Ken employs a stream-of-consciousness narrative style, ensuring that within the larger context of his work, there is always a significant element that conveys the true essence of the subject to the viewer.

This element typically revolves around the recurring motif of an eye or an entire face embedded within the artwork. Viewing these works often immerses the audience in a stream of consciousness, leading to the recognition of ideas beyond the confines of his artwork, yet still familiar to the viewer.

Much like the choices made in relationships and life experiences, this painting delves into the decisions Stef made following the loss of his older brother. Ken believes that this adds depth and layers of meaning to the artwork.