John Amanam
John Amanam | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | John Amanam Sunday 14 November 1988 Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria |
| Education | University of Uyo |
| Occupations | Visual artist, prosthetic artist, special effects artist |
| Years active | 2019–present |
| Employer | Immortal Cosmetic Art Ltd |
| Known for | Hyper-realistic prosthetic art; founder of Immortal Cosmetic Art Ltd |
| Notable work | Hyper-realistic prosthetic limbs for darker skin tones |
| Awards |
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| Website | www |
John Amanam (born 14 November 1988) is a Nigerian sculptor and hyper-realistic prosthetic artist who is credited as the first African to produce hyper-realistic prostheses.[1][2]
Early life and education
Originally from Nsit-Atai in Akwa Ibom state, South South,[3] Amanam was born in Calabar, Cross River state where he also grew up. He is an alumnus of Federal Government College in Ikot Ekpene, and studied Fine and Industrial Arts at the University of Uyo.[4][5]
Career
Amanam is a former special effects artist in the Nollywood . He began his hyper-realistic prosthetic career after his brother lost part of his hand in 2018 and the prosthetic options available were starkly white ill-fitting both physically and culturally. His first prosthetic was produced in 2019 and he gave it to his brother.[6][7][2]
He is the founder of Immortal Cosmetic Art Ltd a company that craft fingers, ears, noses, limbs and breast forms that look realistic on people of darker complexions, based in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.[8][9] He offers discounted and free services for low-income individuals through a donation-based initiative called Ubokobong, meaning “hand of God” in Ibibio.[10]
His works have attracted International attention through featuring in International media outlets like Reuters, BBC, Al Jazeera and others . He has inspired an inclusive healthcare solutions designed in Africa, by Africans, for Africans and the global Black community.[10][11]
Achievements
See also
References
- ↑ AFRO, Special to the (13 November 2023). "Transforming lives with hyperrealism: The story of John Amanam, Nigerian prosthetic artist". Baltimore Afro-American. Retrieved 31 January 2025.
- 1 2 "John Amanam: The Nigerian Sculptor Who Creates Dark-Skin Prosthetics for Black Amputees". qazini.com. 24 January 2022. Retrieved 14 December 2025.
- ↑ "John Amanam: 'Dis prosthetics wey I dey do na handmade, no be surgery'". BBC News Pidgin. 22 September 2020. Retrieved 31 January 2025.
- ↑ George, Godfrey (22 May 2021). "Accident which claimed my brother's fingers motivated me to start making prostheses – Sunday, Nigerian sculptor". The Punch. Retrieved 31 January 2025.
- 1 2 "TEDxMaitama | TED". www.ted.com. Retrieved 14 December 2025.
- ↑ Ball, Janet. "Sculptor in Nigeria creates black prosthetic hand for his brother". BBC. Retrieved 31 January 2025.
- ↑ Bishara, Hakim (9 February 2021). "A Sculptor and Former Special Effects Artist Is Paving the Way in Prosthetics for Darker Skin Tones". Hyperallergic. Retrieved 31 January 2025.
- ↑ "Transforming lives with hyper-realistic prostheses: The story of John Amanam, the first Nigerian prosthetic artist | NNPA". nnpa.org. Retrieved 14 December 2025.
- ↑ AFRO, Special to the (13 November 2023). "Transforming lives with hyperrealism: The story of John Amanam, Nigerian prosthetic artist". AFRO American Newspapers. Retrieved 13 December 2025.
- 1 2 Africa, The Voice of (1 July 2025). "John Amanam: Africa's First Hyper‑Realistic Prosthetic Artist for Darker Skin Tones". The Voice of Africa. Retrieved 14 December 2025.
- ↑ refinedng.com https://refinedng.com/john-amanam-2/. Retrieved 14 December 2025.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ Alumona, Kingsley (8 June 2024). "Awuzie, Olutoye, two other Nigerians nominated for African Genius Awards". Nigerian Tribune. Retrieved 14 December 2025.
- ↑ Balogun, Halima (10 December 2025). "SNA honours Oshinowo, Shyllon, others". The Nation. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 14 December 2025.