Dr Hassan Aliyu, FRSA, is a distinguished British-Nigerian artist and curator renowned for his innovative collaged paintings. As President of the Nigerian Art Society UK, a member of the Society of Nigerian Artists, a committee member of the Guild of Professional Fine Artists of Nigeria, and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, Dr Aliyu has established a significant presence in the art world. His work offers insightful critiques of racism, socio-economic destabilisation, and the enduring impacts of historical injustices.
Dr. Aliyu earned his BA (Hons) in Fine Art from Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria, Nigeria, where he received the Nigeria Art Council award for Best Final Year Student. The import embargo of 1980s Nigeria significantly influenced his work, leading him to use recyclable materials to explore the relationship between colonial enterprises of the past and contemporary neocolonial consumerism. He completed a Professional Doctorate in Fine Art at the University of East London. His thesis, titled “Enslaved by Debt: An Artistic Exploration of Africa’s Colonial Legacy,” was examined by Professor Eddie Chambers and Dr. Antigoni Memou.
His art interweaves historical reflections with contemporary economic analysis, critiquing the power structures that have historically dictated and continue to influence the fate of the Global South. Drawing inspiration from artists such as Mark Bradford and Hew Locke, he layers materials and narratives to challenge and rethink the entrenched dynamics of neocolonialism and capitalism. Through his profound exploration of socio-economic challenges and historical legacies, Dr Aliyu’s work continues to shape meaningful discourse on the global stage. Dr Aliyu has been invited to participate in Detrás del Muro at the 15th Bienal de La Habana from 15th November 2024 to 28th February 2025.
