In the News

Must see current exhibit by Timothy Orikri

The paintings of Timothy Orikri bring light into darkness in his current exhibit at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History. One just has to walk in the room to feel the energy generated by his brilliant use of color and form. From the juxtaposition of his native "Hip Dancers" to “Dancer’s Secret,” a painting of teenage girls in a ballet class, his native African roots and love for his new homeland, America, are evident with each brush stroke. As the City of Detroit struggles in these difficult times, his own struggles as an artist show through in his loving creation of a series of painting of Motown, vibrant and hopeful.
>> Read the entire article published August 12, 2009, here.


Press Release: Iridescence, Color & Form, The Paintings of Timothy Orikri opens at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History on Friday, June 26, 2009. The exhibition will run through September 13, 2009. An Artist’s Reception will be held on Friday, July 10, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

This exhibition presents the museum viewer with a wide range of subjects and images including Detroit cityscapes, dancers, nature, and a tribute to his brother Dan. Additionally, the viewer experiences Orikri’s timeless themes of hope, harmony and nature that are reflected in several of his works.
(Download full PDF version)

The Colours of Timothy Orikri

One of the benefits of belonging to various networking websites is that you come across individuals that probably wouldn’t cross your path otherwise. Such was the case when I discovered the art of Timothy Orikri while perusing a forum in a LinkedIn art group.
>> Read the entire blog post published Saturday, May 2, 2009, by Wendy Campbell on Daily Artfixx.

Volunteer Spotlight - Timothy Orikri

From time to time, I like to highlight volunteers around southeastern Michigan who are doing things to empower our community. Most recently, Timothy Orikri graced a volunteer administration luncheon I attended with some fabulous paintings he created. Tim is an artist who not only creates multimedia art that inspires and fuels creativity but he is a dedicated volunteer who inspires the passion for art in children.
>> Read the entire blog post published Monday, October 6, 2008, on the SEMVOLUNTEERS blog by Tawanna Ward here.

YouTube Video by Leicanstyk Productions (Sherrus Gallery of Fine Art)

Candlelight vigil for MLK inspires wider appreciation
Nigerian artist Timothy Orikri, who lives now in Troy, spoke about his inspiration and work. Some of the artwork Orikri painted of King included full color on King's face but otherwise were not finished. "That's because his dream is incomplete," said Orikri.
>> Read the entire article published Monday, January 21, 2008, in the Oakland Press by Carol Hopkins here.

Love & compassion: Nigerian artist sharing his philosophy with children
"I was blown away by the imagery, the color and the energy of it," says A.J. Funchess, marketing director of the Detroit Public Library, where the Troy artist will display his work through March in "The Journey: Art, Aesthetics & Life."
>> Read the entire article published February 10, 2008, in the Oakland Press by Elizabeth H. Voss here.

Things We Love About the Artist
A "masterpiece" is a work of art that will impact the lives of the people it touches; it will leave a permanent and positive mark in the minds and hearts of those who witness its power. Relevance and responsiveness to present and future values will render a work of art immortal, as it eventually transcends its time and place to become a legacy for future generations. Few artists comprehend these concepts, and even fewer handle them with the success shown in Timothy Orikri's work.
>> Read the entire article written February 10, 2008, by Jorge Sanchez here.

Pyramid Scheme: Nigerian-born artist Timothy Orikri has a vision for St. Louis
"Timothy Orikri flips through the pages of what looks like an artist's portfolio but is, in truth, a life story. There are recent works: familiar St. Louis architecture transformed into prismatic fairy-tale streetscapes. There are older works: paintings of Senegal and of Orikri's native Nigeria, which he emigrated from nine years ago. He pauses longer on some -- the exhibit he created for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday; the African nativity scene created with the children of Pleasant Green Baptist Church; the muted colors of his tribute to his deceased brother, Dan. Orikri works most often on murals; the pieces of art, so dazzling on paper, are breathtaking in reality."
>> Read the entire article published March 10, 2004, in the Riverfront Times by Brooke Foster here.