Clarke Toritseju Favour, also known as Toju Clarke, is a Nigerian contemporary artist whose creative journey has led him to explore various art forms, ultimately embracing sgrafitto and digital art in 2017. Rooted in personal experiences with depression, his art is a powerful tool for mental health awareness, culture, and African identity. Toju’s unique choice of scratching on fabrics and acrylics and print media reflects the cultural significance of scratching in his hometown.
Born in Lagos, Nigeria, Toju’s artistic passion was ignited at home by observing his father’s impasto painting techniques. His formal art education began in secondary school and continued with a Fine Art National Diploma in 2014. A hiatus from school in 2016 allowed him to delve into sgrafitto on canvas, and he later pursued Graphic Design at Yaba College of Technology, earning a Higher National Diploma.
Toju’s talent has earned recognition, including being a top finalist at the Nigerian Student Art Contest in 2018 and winning Best Graphic/Digital Artist at LIMCAF in 2019. He also received an artist grant and residency from Nomad Artist in 2020, leading to a unique exploration of sgrafitto on walls at Lagos’ Freedom Park.
Toju’s artistic journey has seen him exhibit in various shows and locations, including Dakar, Senegal, and London. Beyond his art, he is actively involved in charity work and is an alumni of Next Economy/Fate Foundation’s Entrepreneur School.