Diseye Tantua was born in 1974 in Amassoma in Bayelsa State. He studied fine and applied art at the Rivers State College of Education, now Ignatius Ajulu University (2001). Today, he is well known for his distinctive painting style he christened “Afro Pop Art”, achieved with a diversity of media including charcoal, oil, watercolour, pastel and acrylic. Characterised by strong social commentary laced with satire, his approach is created from a fusion of traditional portraiture, contemporary street art and Pop Art.
Tantua’s subject matter includes calligraphic drawings of Nigerian cultural icons like Fela and Wole Soyinka, and Old Lagos transportation vehicles, filled to capacity. They are distinctively inscribed with traditional proverbs, wise sayings and street credo made popular by headboards and bumper stickers on buses, taxis, tricycles and street signs. At once, his paintings are united by heavy textures, which underscore the artist’s engagement with the materiality of his Medium.
Diseye Tantua has been honoured with an award by the Government of Rivers State, for his contributions to art education. He has served first as chairman, Rivers State Chapter and later as vice president, south east of the Society of Nigerian Artists. His work has been exhibited extensively, both in Nigeria and abroad.