I am Because You Are

Emmanuel Akolo

2023 • Nigeria • Acrylic on Canvas

36 x 24 in

Sold

You love this artwork, but it’s already been sold?

Good news! This artist conducts commissioned work. They can create a custom-made artwork for you, inspired by what you liked about the previous piece. You choose the dimensions and we negotiate the price!

Your request

Your Email Address

Phone number

You can also call us at +1 646-844-3541

Have a question?

Emmanuel Akolo

Nigeria

Artist highlights

Local Artist
Featured in gallery curations
Works on commission

Discover the creation in interiors

Artwork details

Medium : Acrylic on Canvas
Other details : Artwork unmounted, but already framed and ready to hang.
Dimensions : 36x24in

About this artwork

I Am Because You Are is a visual meditation on the necessity of community and the collective effort required to elevate an individual. When I began my journey in the art world, I initially sought to walk the path alone, resistant to the idea of asking for help. However, through the process of creation and growth, I realized that attaining any significant height requires the support of a vast network of entities—curators, critics, buyers, and galleries.… This work features three figures stacked in a silhouette of mutual support, a literal representation of how we are lifted by those who believe in our vision.

The composition utilizes a stark, black silhouette against an expansive blue backdrop, emphasizing the structural integrity and balance of the human connection. It reflects the philosophical concept of Ubuntu—that our humanity is inextricably bound up in others.

Emmanuel Akolo

Nigeria

Credentials

Local Artist
Featured in gallery curations
Works on commission

Akolo Emmanuel Olusegun is a Nigerian-born, Niagara-based contemporary artist who transitioned from a background in Civil Engineering to a profound practice in figurative painting. Blending realism with impressionism, he utilizes acrylics, charcoals, and his own fingerprints to explore themes of identity, social justice, and human resilience. His work is characterized by earthy tones, bold contrasts, and expressive brushwork that documents personal and collective struggles.

Recognized by Saatchi Art as one of the "23 Artists to Collect in 2023"—the only Nigerian selected—he also won "Best in Show" at the 2025 Niagara Falls City Awards. His art has been exhibited internationally and is featured globally via digital licensing on LG Gallery TV+ and Samsung Frame TV. Held in private collections from Canada to China, Akolo’s work serves as a tool for empathy, fostering connection across racial and cultural divides.

Go to Emmanuel Akolo's page

Emmanuel Akolo

I am Because You Are

You love this artwork, but it’s already been sold?