My Bio
Buchi Upjohn Aghaji
Fine Artist, Author, Philanthropist
Founder, Upjohn Studios
Buchi Upjohn is a distinguished professional artist whose mesmerizing artworks effortlessly blend vibrant colors and striking compositions. With a unique ability to capture emotions and stories within his creations, His art transcends boundaries and resonates with a wide audience. His creative journey reflects a seamless fusion of traditional techniques and contemporary expressions, making him a trailblazer in the art world. As an accomplished artist, He continues to inspire and captivate art enthusiasts worldwide with his extraordinary talent and vision.
My Story
Truly an artist at heart, he began his natural interest in drawing and painting at a very young age. A native of West Africa, at the age of fifteen, Upjohn started working on his degree program. He received a BA degree in Fine and Applied Arts at the University of Nigeria in 1986. He then worked for a year in an advertising firm in Nigeria.
Always open to travel he moved to England where he realized he could pursue painting full time. The response he received was so encouraging that he and an illustrator friend opened an art studio in London. Open to new experiences, Upjohn moved to the United States. He spent a few years in New York, New Jersey, and Delaware before he moved to Georgia where he now resides with his family.
Upjohn expresses his art through a variety of media including oil, watercolor, and acrylic on canvas, burlap, paper, metal, and wood. Upjohn believes that one’s artistic creations cannot be separated from his experiences, therefore he reaches deep into his cultural and spiritual experiences to come up with images that truly engage the viewer. The feelings evoked by his work can only be described as exhilarating.
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No one can unleash such talent and use of color without being in touch with his creator. What you feel only shows the power of his work and the touch he received. One of the most prolific painters on this hemisphere, Upjohn speaks warmly of his numerous collectors who have shown support for his work, feeling he owes them much gratitude.
Upjohn believes that one’s artistic creations cannot be separated from his experiences, therefore he reaches deep into his cultural and spiritual experiences to come up with images that truly engage the viewer.
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Upjohn’s work has received much acclaim and recognition in different parts of the world. His work resides in numerous public and private collections. He welcomes commissions and has a vast number of collectors and followers around the world.
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Upjohn continues to engage his audience in an art language always spoken with freshness. He currently exhibits his art through various juried fine art shows, Private Exhibits, Cultural Art Centers, Museums and Galleries in the United States and abroad.
Education
BA, Fine and Applied Arts
University of Nigeria
Selected Notable Collectors
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Tina Knowles
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Cedric The Entertainer
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Juanita Jordan
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Ed Gordon
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Tomy Dortch
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Alden Mc Donald
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Randy Crawford
Selected Corporate Collections
and Institutions
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100 Black Men of America
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Morehouse School Of Medicine
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Liberty Bank and Trust
Selected Exhibitions
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National Black Arts Festival
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New York Art Expo
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African American Museum
of Nassau County -
Art Buyers Caravan, Atlanta, GA
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Christiana Cultural Arts Center, Wilmington, DE
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University of Southern Connecticut
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Guinness World of Records, NY NY
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Cultural Images Gallery, DE (S)
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Columbia University, NY NY
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Ikenga Gallery, CT
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Out of Africa, Birmingham, Oldham Gallery, England
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National Black Fine Art Show, NY
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Just Lookin’ Gallery, Hagerstown, MD
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Work Featured At the Essence Awards Ceremony- Radio City, NY
Magazines and Publications
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Big Shout News, DE
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Class Magazine, NY
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New African Magazine, London
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Dé Magazine
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Upscale Magazine
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Received the Certificate of Recognition from City of Los Angeles Mayor
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Currently working on the East Atlanta Art Pavilion Project featuring art studios/ Gallery; art classes for seniors; youth entrepreneur /Art mentoring programs.