CURRENT OFFERING: MOYOSORE MARTINS

Release 15/05/2026

Móyòsóré Martins (often known as Móyò) is a New York–based Nigerian contemporary artist celebrated for his narrative-rich paintings that reflect his personal journey and Yoruba heritage. Born in Lagos in 1986 to a Brazilian father and a Nigerian mother, Móyò began drawing and painting at a young age, inspired by a blend of Afro-Brazilian culture and his spiritual curiosity, which continues to shape his artistic practice. A self-taught artist inspired by his father's love of collecting, he pursued studies in computer science in Ghana and Ivory Coast before moving to the U.S. in 2015.

Móyò's work is recognized for its layered textures, vibrant colors, and unique blend of abstraction, figuration, and symbolic iconography. His paintings often include spiritual and cultural references—such as African statues and cartoon-like figures with deep symbolic meaning—and are populated with scribbled words, mathematical formulas, prayers, and mantras. He frequently places himself in the canvas, whether through symbols, text, or his birthdate, inviting viewers into his narrative. His art incorporates mixed media and found objects, revealing a fascination with both traditional Yoruba motifs and contemporary pop culture elements, including street art and collectibles inspired by artists like Kaws.

Since being discovered in 2020 by TrafficArts, Móyò’s career has developed rapidly, driven by growing collector demand, increasing international visibility, and an expanding network of gallery collaborations. His participation in this year’s Venice Biennale (May 9-November 22), where two of his works will be presented at the National Pavilion of the Republic of Sierra Leone, marks a significant institutional milestone and reinforces his recognition as a leading voice among a new generation of globally engaged contemporary artists. He is also in discussions with Kunstlabor 2, a large-scale interim exhibition platform operated in collaboration with the Museum of Urban and Contemporary Art (MUCA) in Munich, regarding a potential residency in the coming months.

Móyò has been interviewed and featured in numerous recent publications, including Art Africa Magazine (2026), Medium (2026 & 2023), Forbes (2025 & 2023) Modaculture Magazine (2024), Daily Trust (2024), Whitehot Magazine (2023), Flaunt (2023), Artnet News (2023), New York Magazine/Curbed (2022), and Patter Magazine (2022).

Selected Exhibitions: 

·   2026 & Upcoming

A residency at Kunstlabor 2, an interim exhibition platform operated in collaboration with the Museum of Urban and Contemporary Art (MUCA) in Munich — dates to be confirmed

“61st Venice Biennale”, participation in the National Pavilion of the Republic of Sierra Leone, (May 9-Nov 22)

“The Great Boom”, Upsilon Gallery, Milan, Italy, (Solo Show, April 28-June 7)

“The Language and Image of Us”, La Foundation for the Arts, Accra, Ghana – Group Show (Feb 20-April 3)

·   2025

“The Watchman”, Pulpo Gallery, Murnau am Staffelsee, Germany, (Solo Show)

“Blue Planet Umbilicus”, LDM Art Global (Art Club), New York, USA (Group Show)

“Thirty Six for Coral”, A selling exhibition to raise funds for the protection of coral reefs, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, France (Group Show)

·   2024

“Móyòsóré Martins”, TrafficArts in collaboration with curators Jerome Neutres and Aurore Blanc, Paris, France (Solo Show)

“Through the Light”, Olivier Varenne Art Moderne & Contemporain, Geneva, Switzerland (Solo Show)

“Arms Around The Child Foundation”, Accra, Ghana (Artist Residency)

“Convergence: From Bytes to Brushstrokes”, Tang Contemporary Art, Hong Kong, China (Group Show)

·   2023

“SCOPE Miami Art Show” – Art Fair, Mitochondria Gallery, Miami, USA (Group Show)

“Now, They Know…Móyòsóré Martins”, Galerie Tanit x Teal Contemporary, Beirut, Lebanon (Solo Show)

“Art Shenzhen” – Art Fair, Crossing Art, Shenzhen, China (Group Show)

“Butter” – Art Fair, Long-Sharp Gallery, Indianapolis, USA (Group Show)

“Portraits in Focus”, Robert Fontaine Gallery, Miami, USA (Group Show)

“The Artist Journey”, Crossing Art, New York, USA (Solo Show)

“Intimate”, Robert Fontaine Gallery, Miami, USA (Group Show)

“Palm Beach Modern + Contemporary” – Art Fair, Long-Sharp Gallery, Palm Beach, USA (Group Show)

·   2022

“Art Miami” – Art Fair, Long-Sharp Gallery, Miami, USA (Group Show)

““Butter 2” – Art Fair, Long-Sharp Gallery, Indianapolis, USA (Group Show)

“The Soul of African Diaspora”, Beverly Hills Art Exchange, San Francisco, USA (Group Show)

“Móyòsóré Martins: Seen”, Long-Sharp Gallery, Indianapolis, USA (Solo Show)

·   2021

“Songs Without Words: The Art of Music”,  Nassau County Museum, Roslyn, USA (Group Show)

“IRÁNTI (Nostalgia)”, Path Gallery, Los Angeles, USA (Solo Show)

“Art Stays Here”, Long-Sharp Gallery, Art Rotating Program with Conrad Hotel, Indianapolis, USA (Featured Artist)

“Móyòsóré Martins”, TrafficArt, New York, NY (Solo Show)

·   2019

“Holiday Exhibition”, Dacia Gallery, New York, USA (Group Show)

·   2018

Heath Gallery, New York, USA (Group Show)

·   2017

“Radical Resistance to Xenophobia”, Grady Alexis Gallery, New York, USA (Group Show)