Growing up in southeastern Nigeria, Kanayo keenly observed the colors and designs on the Dutch-wax fabrics his father, a textile dealer, imported from Holland and this Kanayo says was his introduction to the magic of colors.
After obtaining a BFA degree from the University of Maiduguri in the ancient Kanem Borno Empire, he taught life drawing at Ijebu-Ode College of Education which he left a year later for Saatchi and Saatchi Advertising where he was a graphic artist and senior visualizer in Lagos Nigeria.
Three years later Kanayo packed up and left for the United States to paint full time. Kanayo brings to his paintings a kind of flavor and warmth that lingers on far into distant memory and leaves an ambience worthy of multiple recalls. History has proven that creative minds are born with natural talents but Kanayo sincerely believes he was born clutching a paint brush. The brilliance in his landscapes clearly portrays a cosmic dance of colors festooned around the elements of composition and proportion.
A naturalized American citizen, Kanayo lives in the metro Atlanta area and exhibits his works regularly in New York, High Point, Chicago and Atlanta. His works could also be found in many private and corporate collections around the world.
- 2002 Art Expo-New York, NY
- 1998 Artistic Impressions-Hilton O’Hare/Chicago-Best of Show
- 1994 Solo Exhibit-African American Institute/Manhatten, NY
- 1992 Solo Exhibit-Black & White Hotel/Ijebu Ode, Nigeria
- 1991 Four Seasons Group Exhibit-Eko Le Meridien Hotel/Lagos, Nigeria
- 1987 Student Exhibition-University of Maiduguri Silver Award
- 1986 Six Color Exhibition-El Kanemi Library
