Nigerian contemporary artist Alex Peter Idoko, developed his own approach to woodwork, creating these incredibly detailed portraits.
“The word “pyrography” basically means writing with fire on wood. I have practically created my style to approach pyrography with a different technique, where I use fire, razorblade, and sandpaper to draw and form my art on wood. I primarily concern myself with writing, rebranding, and editing the Black story both in past and contemporary by bringing to the limelight Blacks of every continent while accessing issues and challenges that surround them and also setting positive images that would serve as a bearing to the new generation African/ blacks born and unborn. These artworks are created to lend voice to all who lack the power to speak in the public domain about sensitive issues that affect humanity. Working on wood makes me collaborate creatively with nature and a sense of connection with life in all wonderful diversity, which adds meaning to my art.”
Biography
Alex Peter Idoko (b. 1992) popularly known as Alex Peter, discovered his gift of Arts and painting at a very young age in Lagos. He grew in it and developed a deep passion for it. This passion ignited his love for and respect for art.
Started portrait drawing during his secondary school days and nursed it passionately into something of intense artistry. He has been able to develop his artistic skills using different kinds of drawing mediums like pen, pastel, pencil, and Pyrography art (use of a razor, sandpaper, and burner).
He is a self-taught Pyrography (wood-burning) artist. A maestro and he describes his technique as Surrealism and hyperrealism. His works reference African realities, he primarily concerns himself with writing, rebranding, and editing the Black story by bringing to the limelight Blacks of every continent while accessing issues and challenges that surround them and also setting positive images that would serve as a bearing to the new generation African/ blacks born and unborn. These artworks are created to lend voice to all who lack the power to speak in the public domain about sensitive issues that affect humanity, which he then skillfully execute as realism.
He has participated in exhibitions at Omenka Gallery, Ikoyi, Lagos State, Nigeria. Moniker art fair, New York, United States and Common thread exhibition in London, Context Art Miami Fair.