Shiri Achu was born in Cameroon, West Africa. She and her family immigrated to London, where she lived for many years. Today, she has studios in Cameroon, the UK and the USA, where she is currently based.
After obtaining an A* and A at GCSE and “A” level Art, she went on to study Architecture at Cardiff University. Since qualifying as an Architect, Shiri longed for her paintbrush and has been actively pursuing her passion of painting. Her preferred mediums are acrylics, but she works with oils and with mixed media too.
Shiri Achu’s art comes from every day, unsurprising, yet unexpectedly vivid, moments, times, and places. She is reputed to capture the spirit of her subjects and make them come alive through form, color, texture, and tone.
One of the aims of Shiri Achu’s Art is to showcase the culture of Cameroon and other African countries worldwide. It’s also to bring back fond memories to those in the Diaspora. Shiri finds beauty in the woman carrying her child on her back and going on her way. She finds beauty in the old lady who makes her “achu” in her dark outdoor kitchen for her grandchildren. She finds beauty in the African fabrics. She finds beauty, envy even, in the young girl climbing the tree.
Shiri’s paintings reflect the beautiful simplicity of Africa and she offers this to the western world to encourage understanding of the culture and interest in travel to African nations. Shiri loves also to paint carnivals scenes. Showcasing the colours, the movement, the moment. She aims also to bring joy to homes!
Five years after The 30th Act, Shiri’s first solo exhibition, 35InPrint:London exhibition took place from April 19, 2014 and during the one week long exhibition, the mayor of Harrow attended along with the late Mr. Barry Lord (Shiri’s mentor and museum designer of the new Smithsonian African American museum).
36InPrint:DC exhibition kicked off with Shiri attended a discussion group on “Champions of change for expanding fair chance opportunities” at the White House and ended with a recognition letter from Congressman Chris Van Hollen, “…in presenting the inaugural 36InPrint Art exhibition and with appreciation for using art to capture the spirit of African culture in our community.”
37InPrint:Australia exhibition took place in Adelaide from 14th – 23rd July 2016. 38InPrint: Jamaica exhibition took place at The University of The West Indies, Regional Headquarters from 25th August – 8th September 2017. 39InPrint: Toronto exhibition took place at Ariilon in Toronto from 1st – 4th December 2018.
Shiri has been privileged to exhibit and talk about her paintings at The Commonwealth Secretariat in London, The Houses of Parliament, The African Village at London Olympics 2012, and also the BBC TV show “Show me the Monet” after her painting “Rose” was shortlisted for the show in 2012.
US art critic Lennox Campello chose her works as TOP 10 at the Artomatic 2016 art exhibition, where hundreds of artists come together under one roof, over several floors to exhibit. In his write-up, he states, Shiri Achu’s art is “Powerful African Art in a marriage of contemporary skills with strong African imagery…” Lenny Campello
(http://dcartnews.blogspot.com/2016/11/artomatic-2016-review.html)
Prominent public figures like Africa’s Cameroonian football legend Roger Milla, Grammy award-winning American singers Brandy and Faith Evans, British actor James Faulkner, British soul singer (MBE) Omar, Cameroon makossa legendary musicians: Papa Salle John, Sam Fan Thomas and Prince Ndedi Eyango; Ghanaian politician, daughter of Kwame Nkrumah, Samia Nkrumah; Jamaican living legend Mutabaruka; singers: Angelique Kidjo, Erykah Badu and Soul Queen Angie Stone.
Shiri Achu Art is also owned by many other collectors who buy from her website, at art fairs, group and exhibitions and also from those who buy from The Smithsonian, the museum store of National Museum of African Art.
Shiri Achu’s Art is gripping and engaging across the globe. Her works have been and are continually sought after all over the world. Her works have been featured in several magazines, newspapers, blogs, and the book, International Contemporary Masters VII, published by World Wide Art books Inc, pages 64-65. Also, The Smithsonian (The shop at the National Museum of African Art) orders, and sells out of, Shiri Achu Art limited edition prints.
When Shiri receives messages such as this, “I can recognise your art as beautiful because it makes my heart want to smile” Samir Malik 08/2012, she is encouraged to keep working hard and motivated to keep making hearts smile. She is grateful and thankful for every encouragement and opportunity that enables her to keep painting. She is grateful for the opportunity to mentor young people in London, Cameroon, and the USA.
Shiri is extremely pleased and excited that she is achieving one of her goals of promoting the African Culture worldwide, through her art works, workshops and her annual worldwide exhibitions.
SHIRIACHUART EXHIBITION AND WORKSHOP HIGHLIGHTS;
SHIRI ACHU ART EXHIBITION;
THE 40TH ACT – LONDON – 8TH – 11TH August 2019 – St Augustine’s Tower – Hackney, London, E8 1HT, UK
13th December – Present at AddisParis Café, 3103 Mt Pleasant St NW Washington DC 20010
-WORKSHOP; The African Symbol
13th and 14th December 2018 at AddisParis Café, 3103 Mt Pleasant St NW Washington DC 20010
– 39InPrint:Toronto – Ariilon Restaurant
1st – 4th December at Ariilon restaurant, 425 Eddystone Ave, North York, M3N 1H8, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
– 38InPrint:Jamaica – The University of The West Indies, Regional Headquarters
25th August – 8th September -2weeks long exhibition at The University of the west Indies, Regional headquarters, Hermitage road, Mona, Kingston 7, Jamaica, W.I.
-WORKSHOP; The African Symbol
The African Symbol workshop – 9th September at Grosvenor Galleries, 1 Grosvenor Terrace, Kingston, Jamaica
– 37InPrint:AUS – Mama Jambo
14th – 23rd July 2016 – 1week long exhibition at Mama Jambo, 12 Eliza street, Adelaide, South Australia 5000, Australia
-WORKSHOP; The African Symbol
The African Symbol workshop – 25TH June 2016, 7912 Georgia Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20910
– 36InPrint:DC – Gallery A
5th – 14th May 2016 – 1week long exhibition at Gallery A, 2106 R Street, N.W DuPont circle, Washington DC 20008
– 35InPrint:London – The Strand Gallery
19th – 25th April – 1week long exhibition at The Strand Gallery, 32 John Adam St, London WC2N 6BP
– Exhibition in Warsaw
Shiri Achu Art exhibited ‘African Grains’ in Warsaw on 2nd of Feb 2014
– Exhibition in Chiang Mai
Shiri Achu Art invited to exhibit in the beautiful courtyard on Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th of March – Shiri Achu Art exhibited at TedxEuston Salon 2014 – Ripple Effect: Education and the Next Generation ON Saturday 21st June at The British Museum
– Shiri Achu Art Exhibition; ‘The Rhythm of Life’ at The Windmill Thursday July 10th – Tuesday August 5th 2014
-ShiriAchuArt on the TV. June 23rd 2014 – SPOTTED! Shiri Achu Art signed limited edition print ‘Maasai tone’ in a home in Bogota, Columbia on HG TV in USA.
– ShiriAchuArt in a Short Film. ‘Where Are They From?’ by Suki Mok and Liz Chi Yen Liew
– PoetryArt Launch – Exhibition; Post Valentine Jazz. 15-22nd February.
– Eternal Eve Exhibition – 11– 16 March 2013 at La Galleria, Pall Mall, London (Celebrating International Women’s Day)
– Barcelona Showcase 2013 held at Barcelona’s architectural jewel Gaudi’s Casa Batlló on Saturday the 27th April! Shiri Achu Art on Barcelona TV that evening at 8pm
-SHIRIACHUART included in ‘International Contemporary Masters VII’ – Published by World Wide Art Books Inc, Shiri Achu Art features on pages 64 and 65.
– Shiri Achu Art also selected for Book ‘Important World Artists’ – Published by World Wide Art Books Inc, 2013.
– Omar, British soul singer, songwriter and musician, (recently appointed Member of the Order of the
– Painting ‘Rose’ short listed to the final 150 (from an initial 3000) for BBC TV Show ‘Show me the Monet’ Series 2 – Episode 8.
– Exhibited at The African village during London Olympics 2012. Football legend Roger Milla with his signed print ‘Along 2’
– ‘Midnight tradition’ painting selected as a Finalist for the Cliftons Art Prize 2012. Adelaide / Australia
– Exhibition in Lisbon. Opened 10th November 2012. At; Colorida Art Gallery, Rua Costa do Castelo 63, Lisbon
– Amsterdam Showcase; International exhibition of contemporary art on the 1st December 2012 Held at De Oude Kerk; Amsterdam’s oldest building.’
– Solo exhibition at The Tabernacle in London’s Notting Hill which saw Mr Rudolph Walker and Richard Blackwood coming to the exhibition.
– Faith Evans acquires painting ‘Maasai Tone’.
– Exhibition at the Houses of Parliament for BAAC. 7th Nov 2011.
– Exhibiting at the Commonwealth Secretariat, Marlborough House, Pall Mall, London on the 6th December for Human rights week – Empowering women through art.
– First wall painting completed named ‘The Lordship Flower’. The single flower spans over 2m X 2m.
AWARDS
‘The best Artist in Brent’ by the Brent Council. London
TOP 10 Artist at “Artomatic” 2016, Washington DC
Distinguished Fellowship of African Art and Culture, FAAC