Introducing Anthony Ikediuba, an artist/graphic designer/animator born in Nigeria, currently living in Los Angeles, CA

Anthony was born in Nigeria in 1996, him and his family moved to Dallas, TX in 2001 then to Los Angeles in 2015 to pursue a future in art. When he was much younger he would make paper action figures, creating as many stories as he could. He would draw up and down his desk and walls in his bedroom. Anthony got an associate’s degree in graphic design at Westwood College, later studying at Otis College of Art and Design for a year, while also taking a few classes from Brainstorm Art School. God is a big inspiration in his personal work; his relationship with Jesus drives him to create work that reveals his personality and touches people. He loves to write music, play chess and basketball outside of the artistic field. Anthony’s favourite story is '20th Century Boys' by Naoki Urasawa and his favourite film 'About Time'.

When did you start illustrating?

I started illustrating in 2015 but I was not very good.

Who has been the most supportive in your illustration career, perhaps your teacher, family, friends?

I think my family has been the most supportive, specifically my mom. It’s not the norm for nigerian kid to be allowed to become an artist so I am grateful she let me go for it.

Did you always think art was something that was going to be a major part of your life?

I did not actually. At one point I wanted to play basketball professionally somewhere. But as a kid I would draw all the time and I stopped drawing from middle school to high school and then I picked it back up again in 2014/2015

What is your favourite subject matter to illustrate?

I love to draw and paint people. Especially black people. I think it's important I see myself and my community in my work.

How would you describe your style?

I would say its realistic, but can also have a graphic look to it. I feel like my work has a lot of energy in it or I try to push that in my work.

What is your favourite collaboration to date?

I would say my favourite collaboration to date was illustrating my first colouring book called “Black Is The Color Of…” that is based on life in the 1960s. I worked on it with my friend Ayomari and it is available on amazon and their website.

What interested you about being represented by Illo Agency?

I think the biggest thing that interested me about Illo Agency was that I would have people vouch and push for me to get more work from all over the world.

Do you have a favourite author, film director, or designer?

My favourite author/artist would have to be Naoki Urusawa and Olivier Coipel.

Are you working on any personal projects you can share with us?

I am currently working on a graphic novel. I am trying to get the story together and illustrate it myself. And I am hoping to publish through Image comics or the best publisher I can find.

Do you listen to podcasts? If so, do you have a favourite?

I do not listen to podcasts currently. I mainly listen to music or watch/listen to interviews of other artists on youtube.

If you have any questions or a specific project in mind, please do get in touch: [email protected]

at illo agency, we pride ourselves in representing a collation of global illustrators, distinctly diverse in creativity and uniquely celebrated by like-minded clients across a range of commercial markets.