Introduction

Ameje Jesse is a Nigerian multidisciplinary fine artist whose work is a powerful visual exploration of resilience, identity, and the enduring beauty of the human spirit. Jesse is a dedicated self-taught artist who is fully committed to his practice, viewing art as a vital source of autonomy and financial independence. His compelling body of work, which spans various mediums, is consistently themed on the universal lifelines of Love, hope, and Faith. He is particularly known for his hyper-realistic and emotionally charged portraiture and figurative pieces, often executed in his signature charcoal and graphite technique, which he uses to convey profound depth and vulnerability.

Jesse's art seeks to spark meaningful curiosity about African stories and build cultural bridges. He is currently developing a new series that delves deeper into the interplay of culture, heritage, and the evolving self.

Artist Bio:

Born and raised in Zaria, Kaduna State, Jesse’s childhood in northern Nigeria exposed him to difficult moments, including ethno-religious crises marked by destruction and loss. Yet, even in the face of fear and conflict, Jesse held tightly to the belief that beauty persists.

His deep love for drawing sparked his journey as a self-taught artist, later strengthened through dedicated mentorships and art residencies. Although he holds a Bachelor of Science in Public Administration from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Jesse continues to passionately pursue his artistic calling, transforming memories, resilience, and identity into visual treasures of truth and hope.

Exhibitions:

Artiseum, Photography/ Art exhibition, 28th September 2023.

Art Master Class, Made in Nigeria 3.0 Painting and Photography Exhibition “Greater Nigeria” May 25th, 2024.

Cultural Canvas Art and Festival Exhibition 8th March 2025.

NFT NYC Art Exhibition 25th-29th June 2025.

Summer $Billie Artist Residency Programme 2nd-15th September 2025.

Fall Billie Artist Residency Programme 3rd-17th November 2025.

The Gift of Chess is A.R.T. Showcase 9th November 2025.

Q and A Segment with Jesse

Q1: You are a self-taught artist who also holds a Bachelor of Science degree. Can you describe the moment you decided to commit to your artistic path fully?

Ans: The moment I fully committed to my artistic path was during the initial shockwave.

Up until then, I had been working in a teaching role. When the world shut down, my income paused, it became clear that it couldn't sustain myself, quite literally; I was struggling to make ends meet. The COVID era served as undeniable proof that I needed a handwork of my own - a skill set that was mine and not dependent on a fragile, external system. I needed to become the boss of myself. Art, which I had cultivated independently, wasn't just a passion; it was a potential source of autonomy and resilience. It was the only viable path to build the financial independence and flexibility I now desperately needed.

I'm not there yet, building a sustainable art career takes time and relentless effort, but the goal has been set, and I have kept to my commitment.

Q2. You work across various media; how do you decide which medium is best suited for a new concept?

Ans: For me, the choice of medium always begins with a sense of freedom. Each concept carries its own energy, and I listen for how it wants to be expressed. Some stories feel more tactile and demand texture; others speak through line, form, or digital layers. I follow the medium that allows me to explore the full depth of that idea as I desire without limitation.

Often, my curiosity pushes me further; what happens when different materials exist in the same space? That question regularly leads me to combine as a mixed media. Combining mediums expands the narrative possibilities and allows the work to breathe in multiple dimensions.

Q3. Your work is often "themed on Love, hope, and Faith." In a world often characterized by cynicism and conflict, why do you choose to center these enduring, positive themes in your art?

Ans: Love, hope, and faith are more than themes in my work; they are lifelines. We live in a world where negativity often speaks the loudest, but I believe that we can change the world from evil to good. If even one person encounters my work and feels a spark of comfort, encouragement, or belief in something greater, then I’ve played a part, no matter how small, in shifting the world toward the good.

I create with the conviction that transformation begins internally, within each individual who stands before the artwork.

Art may not solve every conflict, but it can soften hearts, heal wounds, and ignite possibilities. That’s why I stay committed to this path, trusting deeply in its power for real, positive impact.

Title: The Pathfinder

Click here to buy:

https://tribbbal.com/post/125928_the-pathfinder.html

Q4. How do you visually represent the passage of time, memory, or the human condition across different eras in a static piece of art?

Ans: As a portraiture and figurative painter, I visually represent the passage of time, memory, and the human condition through a combination of storytelling elements embedded in form and symbolism. Lines, shapes, color, texture, and value allow me to capture emotional resonance, whether it’s the fragility of a fleeting moment or the weight of lived experience.

I often incorporate contrasts between light and shadow, aged and youthful features, or historical and contemporary motifs to show how different eras coexist within us. Subtle details - like weathered textures, layered compositions, or recurring objects act as visual markers of memory and continuity. Even within a static image, these artistic choices allow viewers to feel the evolution of time and reflect on the shared essence of humanity across generations.

Q5. What about your use of charcoal and graphite that allows you to convey depth and feeling, resulting in hyper-realistic and emotionally charged pieces?

Ans: For me, charcoal and graphite strip the world down to its purest essence. Working in black and white removes distraction and bias; it allows me to focus entirely on the truth of my subject: the emotions in a gaze, the softness of a shadow, the story hidden in every detail. These mediums give me complete control over light and depth, letting me sculpt form and feeling with every stroke.

I choose charcoal and graphite because they offer a kind of honesty - raw, bold, and deeply expressive. Through them, I can capture not just hyper-realism, but the vulnerability and humanity that lie beneath the surface. They give me the freedom to reveal what is real.

Title: Joy Unspeakable

Click here to buy:

https://tribbbal.com/post/124913_joy-unspeakable.html

Q6. What is the most challenging technical aspect of working with charcoal and graphite, and what is a signature technique you have developed to overcome it?

Ans: One of the most challenging technical aspects of working with charcoal and graphite is maintaining clean, controlled values while balancing the unique behavior of each medium. Charcoal can be extremely messy and easily disrupt carefully rendered areas if not handled with precision. To avoid unintended smudging, I’ve developed a disciplined approach - working progressively from light to dark.

Another challenge is achieving deep, rich shadows. Graphite has a reflective sheen that can prevent dark areas from reaching their full intensity. I’ve learned that if a section must be truly dark, it must remain free of graphite. To overcome this, I map out shadow zones early in the process and reserve them exclusively for charcoal. This intentional separation allows me to build dramatic contrast and create depth without technical setbacks. Together, these techniques have become a defining part of my process, helping me preserve both the realism and emotional weight of my work.

Q7. You have created a series dedicated to "The Mother's Love" and a piece titled "A Safe Haven." What personal or universal significance does the maternal figure and the concept of sanctuary hold in your artistic narrative?

Ans: Motherhood plays a profound role in my artistic narrative because it symbolizes the purest expression of love, protection, and sacrifice. Across cultures and experiences, a mother’s presence represents a sanctuary, a place where one can return to feel safe, accepted, and whole.

In my own journey, I’ve observed that a mother’s love holds a kind of resilience and tenderness that shapes who we become. Fathers are loving, but there’s a unique emotional strength and intuition embedded in the maternal figure. Women carry a charisma and grace that often becomes our first lesson in understanding love itself.

Through series like Mother’s Love and works such as A Safe Haven, I aim to honor that universal connection - the warmth of a mother’s embrace and the spiritual comfort of home. These pieces are not just tributes to individual mothers, but celebrations of the sanctuary they create within us, a place we continue to hold onto no matter how far we go in life.

Title: The Mother’s Love

Click here to buy:

https://tribbbal.com/post/125930_the-mother-s-love.html

Q8. You are active on global platforms like triBBBal. What is your hope for the conversation your art sparks among a global audience, particularly those outside of Africa?

I hope that my art sparks meaningful curiosity, inviting people around the world to engage with African stories, experiences, and identities woven into every piece. By sharing my work on global platforms like triBBBal, I aim to expand the reach of my creative voice, attracting not only appreciation but also opportunities for growth through collector interest, commissioned works, and deeper artistic collaborations. I need the sales, remember. Ultimately, I want these conversations to open doors to new relationships, new markets, and new bridges between cultures.

Q9. What is the single most important message you hope a viewer takes away after spending time with one of your pieces?

Ans: I want viewers to feel that every piece holds a universe of untold stories. And that my art invites them to pause, reflect, and discover the beauty in each moment of life because every stroke is a reminder that there is meaning all around us, if we choose to look.

Q10. What is the next major project or series you are currently developing, and what new themes or techniques are you exploring within it?

I’m currently developing a new body of work titled “The Series of the Identity.” This project dives deeper into questions of who we are - shaped by culture, heritage, hope, and the vulnerable moments that define our human experience.

While oil paint will remain my core medium, this series will also incorporate mixed media elements to introduce new textures, layers, and symbolism, visually capturing the complexity of identity as something lived, felt, and constantly evolving.

Conclusion

Ultimately, Ameje Jesse's journey is a powerful narrative of transformation, turning the shadows of conflict into canvases of light and hope. From his disciplined technique in charcoal and graphite to his profound dedication to the maternal figure as a symbol of sanctuary, his art consistently seeks to reveal the vulnerability and humanity beneath the surface. As he expands his reach on global platforms and embarks on his next major project, "The Series of the Identity," Jesse remains committed to his core mission: build bridges between cultures and remind every viewer that within each stroke lies untold stories His work is not merely a collection of pieces, but a conviction that art can soften hearts, heal wounds, and ignite possibilities for a better world.

To learn more about Ameje Jesse, please visit his profile:

https://tribbbal.com/JessePraizArt