STANLEY ONAH
Stanley Onah is a contemporary artist whose profound work delves into the complex ideas and concepts intertwined with the human condition. His artistic focus primarily revolves around figurative art, with a keen eye for portraiture and the human form.
Stanley's artistic journey finds its roots in the vibrant blend of British and Nigerian influences. Born and raised in the dynamic metropolis of London, his early fascination with art was ignited by the pages of comic books, where he first attempted to replicate the captivating drawings that ignited his imagination. While art has always held a special place in his heart, Stanley didn't embark on a formal study of the craft. It was only later in life, at the age of 33, that he made the courageous decision to pick up the paintbrush and embark on his artistic voyage.
Since that pivotal moment, Stanley has been dedicated to crafting his own visual language, expressing the intricate nuances of human existence through the medium of paint. In 2022, he completed his inaugural solo series titled "Born Astride the Grave," a body of work that explores the profound themes of life and mortality. More recently, he unveiled his second solo series, titled "Altered State," drawing inspiration from post-impressionism and cubism. This series serves as a testament to his artistic evolution, demonstrating his ability to seamlessly blend traditional and modern influences into thought-provoking and visually stunning pieces.
Stanley Onah's art is a window to the human soul, a reflection of the human experience in all its depth and complexity. With each brushstroke, he captures the essence of his subjects and explores the intricacies of our existence. His work is a journey into the realms of emotion, identity, and the enigmatic tapestry of life, allowing viewers to connect with the deep, universal themes he explores.
As an artist who discovered his true calling later in life, Stanley's story serves as an inspiration to those who embark on creative journeys, reminding us that it's never too late to embrace one's passion and cultivate it into a powerful form of self-expression. Through his work, Stanley Onah invites us to ponder the profound questions of our existence and to appreciate the beauty found in the complexities of the human spirit.
Resin Sculpture Finished with Acrylic Paint
Size: 16cm x 29cm (Edition of 1)
Collaborative Sculptures by Stanley Onah and Subodh Gour
From the series From Ancient Braids to Contemporary Fades
In this remarkable collaboration, Stanley Onah and sculptor Subodh Gour bring the language of Onah’s paintings into three dimensions, transforming the symbolic power of hair and adornment into tactile form. Each sculpture is a one-of-a-kind, hand-painted work, a living translation of the artist’s portraits, where strands become structure and stories are shaped in space.
Here, hair takes on sculptural weight: coiled, braided, twisted, or smoothed into form, it becomes both architecture and archive. Gour’s craftsmanship and Onah’s painterly vision merge to honour the same themes that run through the paintings, heritage, identity, and transformation — while inviting viewers to move around the works, to see how light and shadow trace new meanings across familiar motifs.
These sculptures stand as physical embodiments of From Ancient Braids to Contemporary Fades, works that bridge painting and presence, past and present, image and object. They remind us that hair is more than surface: it is structure, story, and sculpture all at once.
Resin Sculpture Finished with Acrylic Paint
Size: 13cm x 29cm (Edition of 1)
Collaborative Sculptures by Stanley Onah and Subodh Gour
From the series From Ancient Braids to Contemporary Fades
In this remarkable collaboration, Stanley Onah and sculptor Subodh Gour bring the language of Onah’s paintings into three dimensions, transforming the symbolic power of hair and adornment into tactile form. Each sculpture is a one-of-a-kind, hand-painted work, a living translation of the artist’s portraits, where strands become structure and stories are shaped in space.
Here, hair takes on sculptural weight: coiled, braided, twisted, or smoothed into form, it becomes both architecture and archive. Gour’s craftsmanship and Onah’s painterly vision merge to honour the same themes that run through the paintings, heritage, identity, and transformation — while inviting viewers to move around the works, to see how light and shadow trace new meanings across familiar motifs.
These sculptures stand as physical embodiments of From Ancient Braids to Contemporary Fades, works that bridge painting and presence, past and present, image and object. They remind us that hair is more than surface: it is structure, story, and sculpture all at once.
Resin Sculpture Finished with Acrylic Paint
Size: 16cm x 31cm (Edition of 1)
Collaborative Sculptures by Stanley Onah and Subodh Gour
From the series From Ancient Braids to Contemporary Fades
In this remarkable collaboration, Stanley Onah and sculptor Subodh Gour bring the language of Onah’s paintings into three dimensions, transforming the symbolic power of hair and adornment into tactile form. Each sculpture is a one-of-a-kind, hand-painted work, a living translation of the artist’s portraits, where strands become structure and stories are shaped in space.
Here, hair takes on sculptural weight: coiled, braided, twisted, or smoothed into form, it becomes both architecture and archive. Gour’s craftsmanship and Onah’s painterly vision merge to honour the same themes that run through the paintings, heritage, identity, and transformation — while inviting viewers to move around the works, to see how light and shadow trace new meanings across familiar motifs.
These sculptures stand as physical embodiments of From Ancient Braids to Contemporary Fades, works that bridge painting and presence, past and present, image and object. They remind us that hair is more than surface: it is structure, story, and sculpture all at once.
Original Oil and oil Pastel On Linen Lined Board, Tray Framed
Size: 100cm x 80cm x 4.8cm
Part of the “From Ancient Braids, To Contemporary Fades” Collection 2025
In 1296, Stanley Onah journeys deep into history to honour the Fulani people, custodians of a culture whose elegance and endurance span centuries. A woman stands poised and regal, her coiffure rising skyward like a crown of continuity. Around her, symbols of millet, cattle skulls, calabashes, and traditional huts form a visual lexicon of sustenance and belonging, evoking the pastoral richness of Fulani life.
Woven throughout the composition is a recurring helix motif, a subtle yet profound gesture toward alpha-keratin, the very protein that gives structure to human hair. In linking molecular truth to ancestral artistry, Onah collapses time itself: science and spirit entwined, ancient practice made newly resonant.
Within From Ancient Braids to Contemporary Fades, 1296 stands as an origin story, a visual hymn to lineage, resilience, and the timeless sophistication of African identity. It reminds us that every strand of hair carries both memory and meaning, binding the body to its history and the present to its past.
Original Oil and oil Pastel On Linen Lined Board, Tray Framed
Size: 120cm x 96cm x 4.8cm
Part of the “From Ancient Braids, To Contemporary Fades” Collection 2025
In 1927, Stanley Onah captures the charged glamour of the Harlem Renaissance, a moment when creativity pulsed through smoky clubs and crowded streets, and the Cotton Club stood as the stage where identity performed itself in full colour and contradiction. The figure’s immaculate conk hairstyle: a product of assimilation, yes, but also a testament to pride, precision, and the desire to be seen in a world still shaped by exclusion.
Sheet music from W.C. Handy’s St. Louis Blues drifts across the scene, its melody echoing the birth of jazz and the defiant joy of a people reimagining themselves after bondage. Through rhythm, image, and style, Onah’s composition pays homage to those who transformed survival into song, and struggle into elegance.
Within From Ancient Braids to Contemporary Fades, 1927 marks a turning point, a portrait of becoming, where self-expression negotiates the line between conformity and creation, and beauty itself becomes an act of both adaptation and autonomy.
Original Oil and oil Pastel On Linen Lined Board, Tray Framed
Size: 100cm x 100cm x 4.8cm
Part of the “From Ancient Braids, To Contemporary Fades” Collection 2025
In 1788, Stanley Onah carries us back to the beginning of the braid’s transatlantic journey, a time when hair was both a map and a memory. Against the faint outline of the Atlantic Ocean, a figure wears intricately woven braids that speak to origin, belonging, and survival. Each plait is a thread of lineage, a coded echo of home carried across unimaginable distance.
The braids here are not simply adornment; they are acts of resistance and remembrance. In an era of forced displacement, they became vessels of culture, marking regions of ancestry, holding seeds of identity, and preserving stories when words and freedoms were stripped away.
Within From Ancient Braids to Contemporary Fades, 1788 serves as the series’ point of genesis: a visual remembrance of how tradition endures even through trauma. Onah’s composition binds geography and memory together, reminding us that from the crossing came continuity, that survival, too, can be an art form.
Original Oil and oil Pastel On Linen Lined Board, Tray Framed
Size: 50cm x 40cm x 4.8cm
Part of the “From Ancient Braids, To Contemporary Fades” Collection 2025
In 2003, Stanley Onah turns his gaze to an era defined by unapologetic confidence and the rise of a new kind of visibility. The figure before us radiates poise, her hair long, sleek, and meticulously styled, a cascade of “fly” freedom that mirrors the cultural pulse of the early millennium. Weave and length play their part here not as vanity, but as vocabulary: a language of empowerment and self-definition.
It was a year when Black women’s brilliance reshaped the mainstream, Beyoncé ruled the charts, Halle Berry held an Oscar, the Williams sisters reigned over tennis courts, and Tyra Banks debuted America’s Next Top Model, redefining beauty for a new generation. Onah captures that shift in spirit, where style met substance, and performance became power.
Within From Ancient Braids to Contemporary Fades, 2003 celebrates not just the aesthetics of the age, but the agency they symbolised: hair as declaration, glamour as strength, and womanhood as an evolving art form.
Original Oil and oil Pastel On Linen Lined Board, Tray Framed
Size: 61cm x 49cm x 4.8cm
Part of the “From Ancient Braids, To Contemporary Fades” Collection 2025
1985 captures the swagger and seismic energy of a decade when music, fashion, and identity collided in bold new ways. Against a backdrop of urban rhythm and cultural awakening, Onah’s subject embodies the defiant spirit of a generation discovering its voice. With a curl and street-ready style, he channels the aesthetic codes of early hip-hop, a look that was as declarative as the lyrics blasting from the speakers.
This was the era when rap surged from neighbourhood block parties to global stages, when artists like Ice Cube turned raw experience into social commentary and controversy. Through Onah’s lens, the moment feels electric: sound made visible, style made statement. Within From Ancient Braids to Contemporary Fades, 1985 marks a turning point, a celebration of self-expression forged through rhythm, resistance, and the unyielding confidence of youth.
Original Oil and oil Pastel On Linen Lined Board, Tray Framed
Size: 100cm x 100cm x 4.8cm
Part of the “From Ancient Braids, To Contemporary Fades” Collection 2025
In 1966, Stanley Onah reaches back to a pivotal year in modern history — a time when Black identity was being reclaimed and redefined in the face of systemic oppression. The figure before us, his locs worn with quiet pride, embodies both defiance and dignity. Around him, symbolic forms and ancestral motifs weave through the composition, evoking the genetic and cultural lineage that sustains him.
Through Onah’s rich visual language, the work becomes both portrait and testament. The locs, rendered as living strands of history, connect the subject to generations past — a reminder that style, for many, has always been a statement of resistance and self-possession. Within the From Ancient Braids to Contemporary Fades series, 1966 stands as a visual bridge: between heritage and hope, between the suppressed and the self-defined.
Original Oil and oil Pastel On Linen Lined Board, Tray Framed
Size: 96cm x 120cm x 4.8cm
Part of the “From Ancient Braids, To Contemporary Fades” Collection 2025
In 1990, Stanley Onah captures a sun-drenched moment of youthful ease and quiet assertion. A young man, headphones cocooning him in sound, exhales smoke into the warm afternoon air while his beatbox hums beside him — a ritual of rhythm and reflection. His tightly faded haircut, rendered with Onah’s characteristic precision, becomes more than a style choice: it is a subtle emblem of continuity, linking the artistry of contemporary grooming to ancestral traditions of adornment and identity.
Part of Onah’s series From Ancient Braids to Contemporary Fades, the work explores how personal expression and heritage coexist within the everyday. The scene glows with nostalgia, yet feels undeniably present — a testament to how culture evolves, not by erasure, but through transformation. In this intimate portrait, Onah reminds us that even in moments of stillness, history hums beneath the surface.
Original Oil and oil Pastel On Linen Lined Board, Tray Framed
Size: 50cm x 40cm x 4.8cm
Part of the “From Ancient Braids, To Contemporary Fades” Collection 2025
In “1849,” Stanley Onah delivers a haunting meditation on identity and loss. The painting’s solemn blue palette envelops a shaven-headed figure, evoking the mid-19th century and the brutal realities of the transatlantic slave trade. A stark barcode is etched across the canvas, serving as a harrowing symbol of commodification and the erasure of individuality. Slave traders and enslavers often shaved the heads of enslaved Africans as a deliberate act to dehumanise, sever cultural ties, and strip away personal identity. Through this poignant imagery, Onah compels viewers to confront the enduring scars of history, while honouring the resilience and dignity of those who endured such profound injustice.
Original Oil and oil Pastel On Linen Lined Board, Tray Framed
Size: 61cm x 49cm x 4.8cm
Part of the “From Ancient Braids, To Contemporary Fades” Collection 2025
In “1885,” the artist presents a powerful portrait of a woman whose hair is sculpted into a majestic, crown-like form—its fan-like structure both grand and emblematic of the collection’s recurring themes. Featured within the composition is the recurring helix motif, a visual echo of alpha keratin, the essential protein that forms hair. This elegant spiral not only surrounds the crown but also serves as a bridge between ancient cultural traditions and the biological truths that unite us all. Through this striking interplay of symbolism and science, “1885” celebrates the enduring strength, beauty, and heritage carried within every strand, inviting viewers to reflect on the deep connections between identity, ancestry, and the very building blocks of life.
Original Oil and oil Pastel On Linen Lined Board, Tray Framed
Size: 61cm x 49cm x 4.8cm
Part of the “From Ancient Braids, To Contemporary Fades” Collection 2025
This is first of 13 paintings from Onah’s 2025 collection. This series explores how Black hairstyling traditions serve not only as aesthetic expressions but as a living historical archive of Black identity. Throughout time, Black hair has reflected pivotal cultural moments, acting as a marker of survival, migration, resistance, creativity and self definition. These paintings highlight the profound ways in which Black hair narrates history and continues to shape collective memory in the present day.
Original Oil and oil Pastel On Linen Lined Board, Tray Framed
Size: 50cm x 40cm x 4.8cm
Part of the “From Ancient Braids, To Contemporary Fades” Collection 2025
This evocative painting shifts the focus from hair itself to the beautifully crafted tools once used to sculpt and design it. Each implement, originally carved from wood, features intricate handles adorned with the heads of its owner, a revered god, or a guiding spirit, transforming these objects into vessels of both artistry and meaning. Far more than mere instruments for styling, these tools played a central role in rituals that were lovingly passed down through generations, marking significant rites of passage in ancient African communities. Through their depiction, the painting honours the deep cultural heritage and spiritual significance embedded in the everyday act of hair care, reminding us that these traditions are as much about identity and belonging as they are about beauty.
Original Oil and oil Pastel On Linen Lined Board, Tray Framed
Size: 90cm x 90cm x 4.8cm
Part of the “From Ancient Braids, To Contemporary Fades” Collection 2025
In this portrait Onah masterfully blends portraiture with rich symbolism, exploring the origins of African genetics and humanity’s deep connection to nature. The subject’s serene presence is framed by earthy browns and luminous yellows, evoking the fertile soil and radiant sun of the continent’s landscape. Particularly striking is the way the child’s hair is sculpted using natural materials from the earth itself and woven into the strands—creating a living crown that honours ancestral traditions and the nurturing power of the land. Through these subtle references to elemental forces and heritage, Onah’s composition becomes a meditation on identity, legacy, and the enduring bond between people and the natural world. This painting stands as both a tribute to African origins and a reminder of our shared roots in the rich earth.
Original Oil and oil Pastel On Linen Lined Board, Tray Framed
Size: 150cm x 120cm x 4.8cm
Part of the “From Ancient Braids, To Contemporary Fades” Collection 2025
In this striking portrait, Stanley Onah captures the spirit of a young woman in the 1960s, her natural afro worn with unapologetic pride—transformed into a regal crown. Onah’s brushwork celebrates not only her beauty, but the powerful symbolism of hair as a tool of resistance and self-expression during a pivotal era. The 60s were marked by youthful rebellion and a collective push against racial inequalities; here, hair becomes both shield and statement, a bold declaration of identity and defiance. Through this work, Onah honors the courage and resilience of those who embraced their heritage and challenged the status quo, inviting viewers to reflect on the enduring power of self-acceptance and cultural pride.
Artist: Stanley Onah
Taken from Onah’s 2023 ‘Altered States’ Collection, ‘Man I’ the original painting was first seen at the Royal Academy Summer Show 2023 and of course was quickly sold! This Limited Edition print of only 100 copies is now available exclusively through Adorn The Common.
Signed & Numbered Digital Edition of 100
Size: 59.5cm x 71.5cm
Artist: Stanley Onah
A strong black silhouette cuts through a ferocious red backdrop, instantly creating an air of power and strength. Noir provides a vision of intense energy, evoking a feeling of dominance and resilience.
Signed & Numbered Digital Edition of 25
Size: 47.5cm x 57.5cm
In this peaceful vision, Onah skillfully employs contrasting warm and cool tones layered with texture to evoke a serene ambience. The harmonious blend of colours invites you to immerse yourself in a journey of discovering inner peace.
Oil and marble dust on linen lined ACM panel
Size: 61cm x 49cm x 4.8cm
Drawing inspiration fro the bold comic book style reminiscent of Frank Miller, yet imbued with a distinct emotive resonance uniquely characteristic of Onah’s artistry, this piece serves as a pivotal and evocative foacl point within the collection. with a masterful blend of technique and emotion, Onah captures the essence of moodiness, infusing the scene with palpable vibrancy.
The dynamic interplay of colour and form invites the viewer into a world where expressive storytelling meets visual intensity. As a corner stone of the collection, this artwork offers a compelling glimpse into the artists singular ability to transcend genre conventions and evoke profounf emotional responses.
Oil and cold wax on linen lined ACM panel
Size: 100cm x 70cm x 4.8cm
The subject here stands with unwavering resolve, thier gaze steady and proud, embodying the essence of strength and resilience. Enhanced by a palette of radiant sunshine yellows and precious lustrous golds, the painting radiates a warmth and vitality.
Capturing the interplay of light and colour, Onah infuses the scene with a sense of optimism and empowerment. Through this vibrant composition, the observer is invited to reflect on the power of inner strength and the ability to persevere in the face of adversity.
Oil and cold wax on linen lined ACM panel
Size: 100cm x 80cm x 4.8cm
Blending oil and marble dust imbues this piece with a captivating complexity and harmony. Within its stark and unsettling imagery, the viewer encounters a figure crouched in despair, surrounded by vast space, prompting introspection and inquiry.
Through this unique material marriage, the artist invites us to contemplate the juxtaposition of fragility and resilience, evoking questions about the human condition and the enigmatic forces that shape our experiences.
Oil and cold wax on linen lined ACM panel
Size: 120cm x 120cm x 4.8cm
Through masterful manipulation of light and dark this piece resonates with emotional intensity, inviting the observer to contemplate the human experience amidst a cacophony of elements.
With a keen eye for contrast and composition, Onah navigates the interplay between shadow and illumination to craft a compelling narrative that speaks to the depths of the human soul.
Oil and cold wax on linen lined ACM panel
Size: 90cm x 90cm x 4.8cm
Upon first glance you immediately enveloped in a serene ambience, characterized by its rich emerald haze and burnt brown tones. This exquisite palette serves as a fitting backdrop to encapsulate the essence of contemplation and introspection.
through skilful use of colour and a master of creating an atmosphere, Onah invites the audience to immerse themselves in the emotional depth of this moment.
Oil and cold wax on linen lined ACM panel
Size: 90cm x 90cm x 4.8cm
Resurgence embodies the essence of defiance and triumph through its portrayal of a girl emerging from the shadows. The artists mastery of light adds depth and intensity to the scene, inviting viewers to ponder the resilience and strength depicted within the painting.
Oil and cold wax on linen lined ACM panel
Size: 90cm x 90cm x 4.8cm
This painting captures a profund moment of spiritual reverence, as if the subject is illuminated in a divine light. It invites viewers to contemplate the essence of faith and the transcendental connection to a higher power.
Oil and cold wax on linen lined ACM panel
Size: 40cm x 50cm x 4.8cm
The juxtaposition of textured light and dark perspectives here, invites the viewer into a moment of complete contemplation. The closed eyes of the subject evoke a sense of inner reflection and serenity, encouraging the viewer to join in tis tranquil state of renewal.
Through skilful use of contrast and composition, Onah creates a visual dialogue that prompts the viewer to pause, breath, and find solace amidst lifes complexities.
Oil and cold wax on linen lined ACM panel
Size: 90cm x 90cm x 4.8cm
With a cool spectrum of blues washing over the canvas, you are presented with a serene and richly textured image to admire. Through the closed eyes and relaxed posture of the subject, a profound sense of peace and tranquility emanates from the piece, enveloping the viewer in a soothing embrace.
The interplay of light and shadow adds depth tothe composition, further enhancing the contemplative atmosphere. As one gazes upin this work, they are transported to a place of inner stillness, where the stresses of the outside word fade away, and a moment of quiet reflection unfolds.
Oil and mixed media on linen lined ACM panel
Size: 61cm x 49cm x 4.8cm
Through this painting you are confronted with a profound representation of shared anguish and desolation. Onah skilfully employs a palette dominated by earthy tones to convey a sense of unity in suffering.
Each brushstroke contributes to the creation of a collective vision, where the viewer can almost feel the despair depicted on the canvas. Through this, you are invited to contemplate the universality of human experiences, and are reminded of the interconnectedness of our emotions.
Oil and cold wax on linen lined ACM panel
Size: 40cm x 50cm x 4.8cm
Resin Sculpture Finished with Acrylic Paint
Size: 16cm x 31cm (Edition of 1)
Collaborative Sculptures by Stanley Onah and Subodh Gour
From the series From Ancient Braids to Contemporary Fades
In this remarkable collaboration, Stanley Onah and sculptor Subodh Gour bring the language of Onah’s paintings into three dimensions, transforming the symbolic power of hair and adornment into tactile form. Each sculpture is a one-of-a-kind, hand-painted work, a living translation of the artist’s portraits, where strands become structure and stories are shaped in space.
Here, hair takes on sculptural weight: coiled, braided, twisted, or smoothed into form, it becomes both architecture and archive. Gour’s craftsmanship and Onah’s painterly vision merge to honour the same themes that run through the paintings, heritage, identity, and transformation — while inviting viewers to move around the works, to see how light and shadow trace new meanings across familiar motifs.
These sculptures stand as physical embodiments of From Ancient Braids to Contemporary Fades, works that bridge painting and presence, past and present, image and object. They remind us that hair is more than surface: it is structure, story, and sculpture all at once.