Ona’jé earned his AB in Visual Arts at Brown University. He also studied abroad in Florence, learning classical painting techniques as well as art history. His conversion to Buddhism led him to explore the hidden layers of the mind. Philosophical resources such as the texts of philosopher Byung-Chul Han continue to help him understand how these layers manifest in modern society. As a result, a clear presence of mind has informed his creative practice within the confines of an often-chaotic urban environment. His canvases manifest a unique form of Surrealism: infused with the spiritual world while drawing inspiration from the streets of Brooklyn. Ona’jé’s early exhibitions were at the art museums of R.I.S.D. and Brown. Subsequently, he has exhibited at other institutions including the New York Academy of Art and White Box in New York.
