About the Artist
Full name: Cyril Oluwamuyiwa Emmanuel Artist name: Oluwamuyiwa Art
Cyril Oluwamuyiwa Emmanuel, known as X the Villain, is a sculptor, visual, and performance artist based in Lagos, Nigeria. His work is deeply influenced by his Yoruba heritage and Egyptian ancestry, showcasing a rich cultural narrative through his choice of materials, such as palm oil for paintings and charcoal for sculptures.
Self-taught, Cyril draws inspiration from artists like Leonardo da Vinci, Tehching Hsieh, and Jean Michel Basquiat to create a distinctive style that delves into African identities, cultures, and global history. His artworks often focus on society's outcasts, tackling themes of identity crisis, discrimination, and mental health, while advocating for human rights and environmental sustainability.
In performance art, X the Villain engages in a visceral exploration of societal fractures stemming from discrimination, racism, and segregation. He immerses himself in the raw narratives of these issues, pushing the boundaries of performance to provoke deep introspection. Through his performances, he aims to dismantle preconceptions, spark uncomfortable conversations, and inspire a collective reckoning with the complexities of shared humanity. Each gesture and movement is a deliberate act designed to challenge divisions and encourage audiences to confront the uncomfortable truths woven into our social fabric.