El Dragg Leonard Okwoju

El-Dragg hails from the Delta region of Nigeria in West Africa. He is one of Nigeria’s foremost painters.

He attended the University of Benin which is situated in historical city of Benin in Nigeria and graduated with Bachelor of Arts (Hons) Fine Arts, Painting in 1985 and Master of Fine Arts (MFA) Painting in 1999.

Although famous for it's ancient bronze sculptures and its rich cultural heritage, the modern city of Benin has a thriving art community at the University of Benin where El Dragg is a senior lecturer in painting.

Even before he graduated from the University of Benin in Nigeria in 1985, he was already a well-known name in the Nigerian art community, and his paintings have remained sought after in Nigeria and the Diaspora .

Most of El-Dragg's paintings are done in oils. his love for the beauty, colour and diversity of the Nigerian culture is evident in his work. His forte seems to be bringing out the elegance, beauty and diversity of the female figure. It would almost appear as if he has the anatomy of the female figure etched in his memory.

Mr El Dragg Leonard Okwoju's amazing paintings are highly sort after globally and of great valued because of his unbelievable application of colors and creativity, he could be liken to the Michelangelo of Nigeria.



EXHIBITIONS

National Association of Fine and Applied Arts Students (NAFAAS), Exhibition, Library Complex, Ugbowo Campus, UNIBEN, Benin City – 1983.

Contemporary Benin School, An Exhibition of Paintings, Sculptures, est., By students and staff of the Faculty of Creative Arts, UNIBEN. Exhibition Center, Iganmu – Lagos. January 23 – February 8, 1983.

N. Y. S. C. art exhibition. National Theatre, Iganmu – Lagos, November 1985.

Unity Through Art: A Guinness Nigeria PLC, Exhibition of Drawings, Paintings, Sculptures and Ceramics, Center for Arts and Crafts, National Theatre, Igamu-Lagos. April 1994.

Rude Awakening: A solo Exhibition of Paintings, Didi Museum - July/August 1997.

An Exhibition with the theme, 'Female Genital Mutilation in Nigeria.' For Women Issues Communication Services Agency, Indianapolis, U. S. A., October, 1998.

ASO VILLA COLLECTIO, Volume One. August 2002’

Among Others.