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Painting (MA)

Joseph Aina

Joseph Aina (b. 1996) is a Nigerian-British Artist living and working in both London and Windsor. Joseph is currently studying Painting at the Royal College of Art, upon the receipt of the Royal College of Art Studentship. Joseph obtained a BA in Law & Psychology at The University of Kent (2018) and a Graduate Diploma in Fine Art from the RCA (2020). He is also the recipient of the Eaton Fund and recently took part in The Changing Room Gallery Residency, London. Joseph’s practice is also extends into music, fashion, and business. He was awarded the entrepreneur of the year award (2016) at the University of Kent for his artist management company JMArt Space. He also recently launched his clothing line ‘JMApparel’ which he is currently growing with the help of the RCA creative band accelerator Program.

Degree Details

School of Arts & HumanitiesPainting (MA)

Show Location: Battersea campus: Painting Building, First floor

Joseph Aina-statement

In my mind, I am a psychologist conducting an inquiry into the psyche of a man of Nigerian blood raised on British soil. I associate closely with this man, though depict him from a distance so his representation might provide some valuable precedence for men of similar circumstances. Each painting is a page within a biography of the black man displaying past transgressions, current psychology, and then reaches towards predictions for his future within western civilisation.


What I offer is a commentary on the ills of popular culture and ideas of race. The use of multiple layers of paint and paper helps establish a history and energy within the painting. Although many of these layers remain unseen, they are in place to create a street wall ambiance so as to place my audience on the cold streets of London. The irony of my ‘Street Art’ on a canvas further helps display a psychological tension between looking from a position of privilege that strides to conflict with stereotypical representations of blackness.


With this understanding, I often visually reference prominent black artists to ensure my work builds onto existing narratives. Thus, I draw freehand with chalks and oil pastel treating my canvas like a sketchbook to ensure my works remain honest, direct, and personal. I am aware that my perspective is unique, so my work remains naked. To signal this, I leave elements of the first layer visible for the audience to connect with and follow the process of making.

Oil Painting - Blue background with red mouth blue eye yellow eye and black cross between eyes
Looking For A Saviour160 x 160 cm Oil Paint, Acrylic Paint, Oil Pastel
Black Noise
Black Noise15 x 15 CM Oil On Canvas
Looked Within & Found Nothing
Looked Within & Found Nothing125 x 170 cm Oil Paint, Acrylic Paint, Oil Pastel
Don't Look Black
Don't Look Black120 x 150 cm Oil Paint, Acrylic Paint, Oil Pastel
Your king is Only A Man
Your king is Only A Man160x 160 cm Oil Paint, Acrylic Paint, Oil Pastel
Close Enough to Analyse far Enough to Stay Alive
Close Enough to Analyse far Enough to Stay Alive170 x 90 cm Oil Paint, Acrylic Paint, Oil Pastel
Controlled Chaos
Controlled Chaos150 x 120 cm Oil Paint, Acrylic paint, Oil Pastel
Cashflow Quadrant
Cashflow Quadrant120 x 120 cm Oil Paint, Acrylic paint, Oil Pastel on Canvas
Metaverse
Metaverse90 x 90 cm Oil Paint, Acrylic paint, Oil Pastel on Canvas
Constantly Everywhere, Frequently Nowhere
Constantly Everywhere, Frequently Nowhere120 x 150 Oil Paint, Acrylic Paint, Oil Pastel
Char-LIE
Char-LIE90 x 90 CM Oil Paint on Canvas
Snoop
Snoop90 x 90 CM Oil Paint on Canvas
Pop - I
Pop - I 90 x 90 CM Oil Paint on Canvas
0 LIVE
0 LIVE90 x 90 CM Oil Paint on Canvas
An Abrupt Search For Meaning Through an Atmospheric Lens.
An Abrupt Search For Meaning Through an Atmospheric Lens.
A Sense of Cultural Cohesion
A Sense of Cultural Cohesion
BEHIND THE MISERY OF MODERNITY.
BEHIND THE MISERY OF MODERNITY.
Voyage Through Obscurity.
Voyage Through Obscurity.
Between Vengeance and Impunity.
Between Vengeance and Impunity.
Your King is Only A Man.
Your King is Only A Man.
This way to abundance.
This way to abundance.
This way to abundance.
This way to abundance.
Hope, and Other Unjustified Beliefs.
Hope, and Other Unjustified Beliefs.
To Find This Paradise You Must Forget That Reality.
To Find This Paradise You Must Forget That Reality.
Not Enough Balance, Too Much Tension.
Not Enough Balance, Too Much Tension.
Over the Top and Abrasive. Yet Concise, Focused and Tangible.
Over the Top and Abrasive. Yet Concise, Focused and Tangible.
Seemingly Innocent, but Really Trying to Find Your Blind Spots.
Seemingly Innocent, but Really Trying to Find Your Blind Spots.
They Won't Save You.
They Won't Save You.
Angelic Disharmoney.
Angelic Disharmoney.
The Crossroads of Hegemony.
The Crossroads of Hegemony.
Thophe.
Thophe.
I Am The Way! Says The Mastermind.
I Am The Way! Says The Mastermind.
Self Imposed Pressure In Hope of Outcome That Will Gratify Ones Ego.
Self Imposed Pressure In Hope of Outcome That Will Gratify Ones Ego.
The search for balance with weak foundations is an upward hill.
The search for balance with weak foundations is an upward hill. *But, when in a barrel the only light is above.

RCA Scholarships Award