ShoNobi (Samson Shofoluwe) was born in Lagos, shaped in London, and came into his own in Detroit. His work sits at the intersection of cultural memory, anime aesthetics, and the raw honesty of lived experience. Whether he’s painting with oils, building massive loose-canvas scrolls, or designing fight sequences for his manga Deadlock: Bloodbound, he’s always doing the same thing: pushing himself one level higher.

He started taking art seriously in the UK, where he completed his A-Levels and was recognized by the Worshipful Company of Painter-Stainers as one of the most promising young painters in the country. Before moving to the U.S., he exhibited in London and featured in a BBC mini-series exploring how creativity shapes the lives of young Black artists.

After relocating to the U.S. for his BFA at Eastern Michigan University, he quickly integrated into Detroit’s art scene, showing at galleries across the city and earning a 3rd place award at the Detroit Artist Market’s 2023 H-O-T-D-A-M exhibition. Today, he’s based in Brooklyn, pursuing his MFA at Pratt Institute and building a body of work that merges storytelling, portraiture, and emotional vulnerability.

His influences range from J.W.M Turner and Nelson Makamo to anime training arcs; his mission is simple: create work that hits people in the chest—visually, emotionally, spiritually.

Instagram: @shonobi_art

Twitter: @sho_nobi