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LEMI GHARIOKWU


Last Updated: 11/30/2009

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Gender: Male
Status: Married
Age: 53
Sign: Capricorn

City: Lagos
State: Lagos
Country: NG
Signup Date: 11/15/2006
Thursday, November 23, 2006 

Current mood:  artistic


GHARIOKWU LEMI: TIME LINE OF PROGRESS
- ART'S OWN KIND SINCE 1974

As a self taught Fine / Graphic Artist:

1.   Pioneered Record Sleeve Designing as a profession in Nigeria, 1974
2.   Designed 26 Album Covers for Fela Anikulapo Kuti's Musical Career (1974 - 1992) subject of an Art Project/Thesis in Mainz University's Institute For Ethnology and African Studies  (Mainz, Germany) by Professor Wolfgang Bender from 1985 till date.
3.   Designed over 2000 Record, Cassette and CD Sleeves for Nigeria Music Industry to date.
4.   3 - Time Best Record Sleeve Designer of the year Award Winner (Nigeria Music Awards 1989, 1990/ Fame Music Awards 1992)
5.   Composed the Hit Song 'Omolakeji' co-performed with Daniel Wilson in the latter's 'Original Bad Boy' Album, 1992.
6.   Created and Pioneered the use of Cassette Packs for the Music Industry, via Sony Music in Nigeria, 1995.
7.   Made Art Director of Nigeria International Song Festival (NISOFES '98)

8.   Created and Pioneered the use of Compact Disc Envelope Packs for the Music Industry, via Kennis Music in Nigeria, 1999.
9.   First Art Exhibition titled 'Lagos Art' and painting of Mural titled 'Welikom 2 Lay-gh-Us!' at the Maison De France, Lagos, curated by Pascal Littelier, November 13 - December 9, 2001.
10. Ninja Tunes Records, Toronto, Canada, commissions Lemi to design Antibalas' 'Talkatif' Album Cover, 2002.
11. 'Lagos: Past and Present' Group Exhibition, Muson Art Festival Week, Muson Center, Lagos, curated by Chike Uwaogudu, May, 2002
12. Note Blu Records, Paris, France, commissions Lemi to design Majik Malik Orchestra's '001' Album, July, 2002.
13. 'Lagos: Past and Present' Group Exhibition, Nimbus Art Center, Lagos, curated by Chike Uwaogudu, October 1, 2002
14. Exhibitor at the Black President: The Art and Legacy of  Fela Anikulapo Kuti Group Exhibition at New Museum of Contemporary Art, New York, curated by Trevor Schoonmaker, July 11 - September 28, 2003
15. Ghariokwu Lemi's works featured in 2 books by curator, Trevor Schoonmaker: 'Black President: The Art and Legacy of Fela Anikulapo Kuti' and 'FELA: From West Africa To West Broadway', published by Palgrave Publishers, New York, 2003
16. Speaker at 'Conversation with The Artists' Seminar at New Museum of
      Contemporary Art, New York, anchored by Trevor Schoonmaker, July 17, 2003
17. Solo Exhibition/Fund Raising at the 'Jump N' Funk', Martinez Gallery, Brooklyn,
      New York, curated by Louis Martinez, July 27, 2003
18. The New Museum of Contemporary Art's Youth Council: Guest Artist Workshop  
      with Ghariokwu Lemi, co-ordinated by Li sumpter, August, 2003
19. First Painting in the US,'Everybody's Gotta Be Somebody' comissioned by Mark
      Rosenthal, President/CEO MTV Networks, August 2003
20. Critical Voices Series: Black President: Personal Perspectives on Fela, panelists at
      New Museum of Contemporary Art, New York, anchored by Trevor Schoonmker,
      September 4, 2003
21. Workshop with kids at the October Gallery's Black Art Expo Fair, Temple University,
      Philadelphia, co-rdinated by Li Sumpter, November 7, 2003
22. Painting Completed and handed over at MTV Headquarters, Broadway, New
      York, December, 2003
23. 'Works On Paper' Group Exhibition at Southfirst Gallery, Brooklyn, New York,
      curated by Maika Pollack and Florian Altenburg, January 23 - March 7, 2004
24. Exhibitor at the African Literature Association, 30th Anniversary Conference:
      Verbal Performance & Visual Cultures, University of Wisconsin, Madison, hosted
      by Prof. Tejumola Olaniyan, April 14 - 18, 2004 
25. Exhibitor at the Black President: The Art and Legacy of Fela Anikulapo Kuti Group
      Exhibition at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, San Francisco, curated by Trevor 
      Schoonmaker, April 17 - July 4, 2004                                                       
26. 'Sadie Hawkins Dance' Group Exhibition at Southfirst Gallery, Brooklyn, New
      York, curated by Maika Pollack and Florian Altenburg, May 21- July 4, 2004
27. First Screening and interactive session of 'Everybody's Gotta Be Somebody', a
      'Ghariokwu Lemi Story', short Documentary on Lemi's Painting by Aaron Konis-
      berg at the Jump N' Funk, Coral Room, Manhattan, New York, May 28, 2004
28. Afrika Mundos Cultural Expo features Ghariokwu Lemi's works, Sao Paulo, Brasil
      June 25 - 27, 2004
29. Stussy International Clothing Company, USA, commissions Lemi to do 4 Drawings
      For Special Edition Tee-Shirt Prints for their 25th Anniversary, August 2004
30. Painting of 'The Big Fela Story' Illustration commissioned by Guardian UK, Sept-
      ember 2004
31. Ghariokwu Lemi named 'King of Covers' by The Observer Music Monthly, Sept-
      ember 2004
32. Exhibitor at the Black President: The Art and Legacy of Fela Anikulapo Kuti Group
      Exhibition at Barbican Art Gallery, London, curated by Trevor Schoonmaker,
      September 9 - October 24, 2004
33. The Art of Ghariokwu Lemi: P. E. A. C. E (Pictorial Evolution Acknowledging 
      Conscious Emancipation) First Solo Exhibition in the UK at The Spitz Gallery,
      London, curated by Debbie Sealy, September 23 - October 17, 2004
34. First UK screening of "Everybody's Gotta Be Somebody", documentary on Lemi's
      Painting by Aaron Konisberg at the Spitz Gallery, London, October 1, 2004
35. Ether Records, UK, commissions Lemi to design Gilles Peterson's 'In Africa' Album
      Cover, November 2004.
36. Bukka - a collective of London-based African Architects and Designers presents:
      Ghariokwu Lemi, creator of Afrobeat Music's most provocative and inspirational
      Album Covers: Lecture/Workshop, The Gallery, London, co-ordinated by Godson
      Egbo, December 3, 2004.
37. Special Guest at the Zanzibar Club's 'Afrika Night', Los Angeles, December 9, 2004
38. Gilles Peterson Cover Art completed and handed over to Ether Records, January 2005
39. Stussy Tee Arts completed and handed over, February 2005
40. Museum Of Modern Arts, New York (MOMA) acquires Ghariokwu Lemi's drawing
     "ANODA SYSTEM" for its collection, June 2005
41. Ghariokwu Lemi's works featured in the book 'Lagos - A City At Work', published by
      Glendora Books, Lagos, Nigeria, 2005
42. Lecture on 'Sanitizing The Society Via Creativity' at Moshood Abiola Polytechnic,
      Abeokuta, Campus Players Youth Club's 3rd Anniversary 'Talents' Day', November
      9, 2005
43. First Nigeria screening and interactive session of 'Everybody's Gotta Be
      Somebody', a 'Ghariokwu Lemi Story', short Documentary on Lemi's Painting by 
      Aaron Konisberg at the Tanjia Restaurant's "Expression Night", Lagos, April 4, 2006.           
44. EYES OF AFRICA - Group Exhibition - Buntingford - Curated by Liz Bagnal - United 
      Kingdom, - July 2006
45. POLITICAL CARTOONS FROM NIGERIA - Solo Exhibition at Southfirst Gallery,
      Williamsburg, Brooklyn, New York, curated by Maika Pollack and Florian Altenburg,  
      November 10 - December 17, 2006
46. Special guest at first official screening of "FELA: FRESH FROM AFRICA" a
      documentary by Jaheed Ashley, produced by Sahara Organization, at Brooklyn
      Academy of Music (BAM), December 2, 2006
47. Art Workshop with Nina Talbot and 6th Graders of PS 67 School, Brooklyn, New 
      York, December 14, 2006
48. Art Workshop with Rosse Mary Taveras (CUBRAITI) and 6th and 7th Graders of PS
      252 School, Saratoga, Brooklyn, New York, January 2, 2007
49. The Artist Network in New York presents "AMERIKKA" Group Exhibition
      featuring Ghariokwu Lemi, The Artist Network Gallery 424, Broadway, Manhattan,
      New York. curated by Mariko Tanaka and Raul Zemudia. January 19th - February
      16th 2007
50. The Artist Network presents second annual benefit show and silent auction
      "MEMEMTO MORI" featuring 45 emerging New York and International Artists 
      including Ghariokwu Lemi, The Artist Network Gallery 424, Broadway, Manhattan,
      New York. Curated by Mariko Tanaka. February 21st - March 18th 2007
51. Made Art Director for Nigerian Music Awards, February 2007
52. Designs Akoya Afrobeat's "PDP" cover, February, 2007
53. Panelist at Nigerian Art Stakeholders' Conference, Didi Museum, Victoria Island,
      Lagos. March 30, 2007
54. Creates the new trophy called 'Maestro' for Nigerian Music Awards, April, 2007
55. Chicago AfroBeat Project (CABP) chooses to use Ghariokwu Lemi's existing work, 
      "Lagos Sitty" as cover Art for their "A Move To Silent Unrest" album, July, 2007
56. DEF Foundation commissions Lemi to do 3 drawings for 'Hollywood Life' Ad.,
      September, 2007
57. Special guest and exhibitor at "FELABRATIONS '07" at The Sahara, West 45th
      Street, Manhattan, New York, hosted by Jaheed and Peeko Ashley, Saturday,
      October 13, 2007.
58. Exhibition of works at Stubbs Cafe, Main Street, Chicago, curated by Marshall
      Greenhouse, Friday October 19 - October 26, 2007
59. Special guest at Chicago Afrobeat Project "A Move To Silent Unrest" CD release
      party, Nite Club, Chicago, October 20, 2007
60. Art / Dance / Music Workshop with Rosse Mary Taveras and Marshall Greenhouse
      and music students, World percussion class of the after school matters program,
      Noble Street Charter School, Chicago, October 22, 2007
61. Art Workshop with Basha Alade and sixth graders of Club Brookdale, an afterschool
      program run by Brookdale Community College, Neptune Middle School in Neptune,
      New Jersey, November 28, 2007
62. Art Workshop with Leola Bermanzohn and art students of Bayridge Preparatory
      School, 4th Ave,m Brooklyn, New York, November 29, 2007
63. Exhibition of retrospective and new works titled DEMOCRAZY: FELA,
      GHARIOKWU LEMI AND THE ART OF THE ALBUM COVER curated by Bisi Silva
      at Center For Contemporary Art, 9, McEwen Street, Sabo, Yaba, Lagos, Saturday,   
      December 8 - Sunday January 20, 2007
64. Guest Artist at gallery talk and interactive session "Artist Ghariokwu Lemi in
      conversation with Curator Bisi Silva", Center For Contemporary Art, 9, McEwen
      Street, Sabo, Yaba, Lagos, Saturday, December 15, 2007
65. Guest artist and exhibitor at "EXPERIENCE NIGERIA 2007" exhibition, National 
      Museum, Onikan, Lagos. December 22 - 28, 2007
66. The Icebox Project group exhibition titled "From Tabu To Icon Africanist Turnabout"
      featuring Ghariokwu Lemi amongst others at the ice box project space of the Crane
      Arts building, philadelphia, January 10 - February 10, 2008
67. Ghariokwu Lemi's works featured in the book 'Area 2' cataloguing 100 emerging
      Artists from across the globe, published by Phaidon Press, New York, April 2008
68. Exhibition of retrospective and new works titled DEMOCRAZY: FELA,
      GHARIOKWU LEMI AND THE ART OF THE ALBUM COVER curated by Bisi Silva
      at Quintessence, Falomo Shopping Complex, Ikoyi, Lagos, Saturday,   
      April 26 - Saturday, May 17, 2008
69. The Museum Of Modern Art (MOMA), New York extends complimentary dual  
      lifetime membership to Ghariokwu Lemi in appreciation of haven his work in its
      Collection, May 29, 2008
70. Ghariokwu Lemi's works featured in Zina Saro-Wiwa's film "This Is My Africa",
      September 13, 2008
71. LAGOS: PARADIGM SHIFT - Art Exhibition of Design and Paintings by Ghariokwu    
      Lemi, Legendary Cover Artist, Illustrator and Graphic Designer, at Harmattan
      Workshop Gallery, 10, Elsie Femi Pearse Str., Victoria Island, Lagos, curated by
      Chigaza Hanum, November 22 - November 28, 2008.
72. Closing Ceremony and Command performance of LAGOS: PARADIGM SHIFT - Art
      Exhibition of Design and Paintings by Ghariokwu Lemi, Legendary Cover Artist,
      Illustrator and Graphic Designer, at Muson Center, Onikan, Lagos, curated by
      Chigaza Hanum, November 29, 2008.