PAPADU PAPADU

PAPADU PAPADU, founder and creative director of surRIHL, is an American-born artist of Nigerian descent whose work bridges traditional African artistry with digital innovation. His multicultural heritage spans four ethnic groups—Edo, Yoruba, Michika, and Bakweri—informing a unique artistic perspective that emerged from his journey to reconnect with these roots. This exploration, combined with his architectural training at Yale University and the transformative experience of his father's cancer battle, shapes his distinctive artistic vision.

Through surRIHL, PAPADU has developed an innovative artistic process that merges traditional African aesthetics with contemporary digital techniques. His toolkit encompasses photo manipulation, digital painting, 3D modeling, animation, motion design, compositing, and collage, resulting in dynamic compositions that explore the human form through abstract and surreal interpretations.

His work has been featured internationally, with exhibitions at major venues including the 2022 FIFA World Cup Fan Festival in Doha, the 2023 London Fashion Week, and Lagos' "Nothing Is Unreal" immersive experience.