By Benjamin Njoku

Nigerian-born, UK-based hyperrealistic artist EmmieJazzy (Kolade Emmanuel Ayinuola) has had two artworks — “Hope or Despair” and “A Brighter Day” — officially selected for the highly competitive Guildford House Open 2025 exhibition.

The show is currently on view at the historic Guildford House Gallery, a 17th-century Grade I listed townhouse and one of Surrey’s most significant cultural institutions.

This year’s Open Call received an outstanding 1,290 submissions from artists across the UK. From these, only 81 artworks by 75 artists were shortlisted.

The final selection was made by an esteemed panel of judges:

Mary Branson — Internationally renowned installation and conceptual artist

Kelvin Okafor — World-acclaimed hyperrealist known for his groundbreaking drawing practice

Lizzie Collins — Respected curator and gallery director

Their involvement underscores the prestige and rigour of the selection process. Being chosen by judges of this calibre marks a significant milestone in Emmie’s artistic career.

Selected Artworks

Hope or Despair (2023)

A deeply emotive charcoal portrait exploring the fragile balance between resilience and despair faced by children growing up in challenging environments.

A Brighter Day (2023)

The inaugural piece in the artist’s “Hope Series,” portraying a young child captivated by light — a symbolic expression of wonder, renewal, and the possibility of better futures.

Together, these works reflect the artist’s ongoing exploration of identity, childhood, emotional duality, and the universal pursuit of hope.

Exhibition Information

Exhibition: Guildford House Open 2025

Venue: Guildford House Gallery, High Street, Guildford, Surrey

Dates: 22 November 2025 – 28 February 2026

Private View: 27 November 2025

The Guildford House Open is recognised as one of Surrey’s leading contemporary art exhibitions, spotlighting exceptional talent from across the region and the UK.

About the Artist

EmmieJazzy (Emmanuel Ayinuola) is a Nigerian-born hyperrealistic and multidisciplinary artist whose work explores themes of resilience, identity, social justice, and hope.

Now based in the UK, he combines charcoal, pastel, and mixed media to create emotionally charged visual narratives inspired by lived experiences.

With a background in Chemical Engineering and Environmental Management (MSc), his evolving practice also incorporates environmental consciousness, bridging personal storytelling with global socio-environmental issues.

His work has been exhibited across multiple UK galleries and continues to gain recognition for its emotional depth, technical mastery, and cultural significance.