Critical Text by Culturalee Editor Lee Sharrock
Nigerian-born Kolade Emmanuel Ayinuola – whose artist moniker is Emmie Jazzy – creates emotionally charged hyperrealist portraits that reflect personal, cultural, and social narratives. Though trained as a chemical engineer, Jazzy’s devotion to art has remained central since childhood, where drawing became a profound outlet for processing life’s complexities. Entirely self-taught in the demanding technique of hyperrealism, he fuses meticulous detail with deep emotional sensitivity, inviting viewers to engage with the humanity of his subjects.
His work draws inspiration from the culture of Nigeria and Britain, and captures the dignity, resilience, and pride of community. Series such as Identity and Cultural Elegance celebrate African heritage, while the African Child series empowers young Black children through intimate, soul-stirring depictions. A portrait of a boy with eyes gently closed conveys layered emotion beneath the skin — Jazzy’s mastery of light, texture, and expression turning realism into poetry.
Abandonment leaves a lasting mark, but every child deserves a world where they can laugh, dance, sing, learn, live in peace, and embrace happiness — a world of endless possibilities and hope.” Emmie Jazzy
In the lineage of Duane Hanson, Ron Mueck, Chuck Close, and Carole Feuerman, Jazzy contributes a distinct, purposeful voice. His recent Human and the Environment project unites his academic background in Environmental Management with art, extending his activism toward ecological concerns. At its core, Jazzy’s work is about equity, love, and empowerment—using hyperrealism not only to represent life but to elevate it.
Find out more about Emmie Jazzy here.
All images Courtesy of Emmie Jazzy.
