Cyril Oluwamuyiwa Emmanuel: Contemporary Conceptual Artist and Filmmaker

Cyril Oluwamuyiwa Emmanuel, professionally known as X the Villain, is a Lagos-based contemporary conceptual and performance artist whose practice is deeply intertwined with his Yoruba heritage and Egyptian ancestry. As a self-taught creator inspired by figures like Leonardo da Vinci and Jean-Michel Basquiat, Cyril Oluwamuyiwa Emmanuel has developed a signature style characterized by the use of unique organic materials, specifically palm oil for paintings and charcoal for his sculptural works. His artistic journey explores complex narratives of African identities, global history, and the lived experiences of society's outcasts. Through collections such as 'Overcome Evil', 'Eulogy of Basquiat', and 'Judge, Jury and Executioner', Cyril Oluwamuyiwa Emmanuel addresses profound themes including identity crises, morality, and mental health. His work is not limited to a single medium; he is proficient in traditional painting with acrylics and watercolours, digital illustration, paper mache sculpture, and mural art. In addition to visual arts, Cyril Oluwamuyiwa Emmanuel is an accomplished filmmaker and performance artist. His '366 Days of Creation' performance demonstrated a rigorous commitment to daily artistic labor as a performative act. As a human rights advocate and proponent of environmental sustainability, his goal is to produce interactive and immersive art that remains accessible to diverse audiences, including those with disabilities. By challenging societal fractures like discrimination and segregation, Cyril Oluwamuyiwa Emmanuel uses his creative voice to instigate uncomfortable conversations and inspire a collective reckoning with the complexities of shared humanity.