Gerry Nnubia Nigeria, b. 1966
Gerry Nnubia is a Nigerian painter and sculptor associated with the generation of artists often referred to as the “colourists,” whose work foregrounds the expressive and emotive potential of colour.
His practice is rooted in a deep engagement with landscape, atmosphere, and the sensorial qualities of paint. Trained at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nnubia developed his practice within a context that encouraged experimentation and a departure from strict naturalism. His work reflects an openness to abstraction, where form is often dissolved into fields of colour and gestural movement.
In May Blossom (2011), Nnubia explores themes of renewal, growth, and transience through a richly layered composition dominated by floral and organic forms. The work moves beyond literal depiction, using bursts of colour and soft, diffused edges to suggest the fleeting nature of blooming. Petal-like shapes emerge and recede within a vibrant field, capturing a moment that feels both immediate and ephemeral.
