Kelly Omodamwen Born in 1993, he hails from the Oredo Local Government Area of Benin City, Edo State. Kelly began his sculpting journey as a kid in his grandfather’s studio, who was a renowned traditional Benin bronze caster. He had his secondary education at Baptist High School in 2010, after which he proceeded to the Federal Polytechnic, Auchi where he obtained his National Diploma in general art and industrial design, 2015, and a Higher National Diploma with a distinction in sculpture, 2018. He also received the rector’s award (Certificate of Excellence) for best graduating student in 2018. Kelly began producing his sculptures in bronze and in 2017, he discovered spark plugs as a medium in sculpture, which has gained him audience after his documentary with BBC PIDGIN in 2020. His style of art has evolved over the years, moving from Benin art forms to contemporary forms and also to welded sculptures, which include the repoussé and upcycling of waste materials into functional and aesthetic arts. After decades of dedicating himself to art practice, gathering and merging experience from both informal and formal practice, Kelly has carved a niche for himself, as seen in his body of works over time through his expression of anatomical study and usage of materials. Kelly’s works are culturally influenced and inspired by his environment. Art is a reflection of its environment and time. The voice of an artist depends largely on his or her technique and choice of medium. Expression and the proper use of both enable the audience connect with the unspoken words of an artist. Beyond mimes is an embodiment of deep, unspoken thoughts and innate expression of emotion through body language. RESIDENCY: - Omooba Yemisi Adedoyin Shyllon Art Foundation (OYASAF) 2019. EXHIBITION: - “Life in my city” 2018, - “A Room Full of Stories” at kokopelli Gallery, Lagos 2021, - “Triple A ‘Sculptured Nature’” 2021, - Miniature Art Fair Lagos, 2022. AUCTION: - Chalkwell Auction “Artist On The Rise”, U.K. 2021, - Sogal auction, Lagos 2021. - Sogal auction, Lagos 2022. Publications: - BBC pidgin, 2020 - THE NATION news paper, 2021 - BBC igbo, 2022 - National Geographic magazine, 2023 Selected works in public collections: - Auchi polytechnic sculpture garden - Omooba Yemisi Shyllon art foundation “OYASAF” - Court of appeal, Benin division Partnered projects: - Design Miami: Freedom to move 2020. - Legacy world, 2022