Nijel Binns

Nigel Lloyd Binns (born July 1, 1956) is an American artist. He creates and performs under the mononym of Nijel, but has also been known by various other names such as Nijel BPG, Nijel Binns, and Nigel Binns.

An English born writer of philosophy, theater, and the martial arts, his first international work was contributing as researcher, ghost writer and illustrator of the book Championship Kenpo. This martial arts instructional book was written with Kenpo Grandmaster Steve (Sanders) Muhammad and Donnie Williams who both appeared in the 1973 martial arts film classic, Enter The Dragon starring Bruce Lee.

In 1990 Nijel wrote and self published a study about the Nuba wrestling tradition of antiquity titled Nuba Wrestling: The Original Art. This treatise explores the ancient martial arts of empty hand combat, weaponry, fortification, and military strategy that was practiced by the Nuba people of Kmt (ancient Egypt) over 2,899 BC. In 1998, Nijel presented his findings in the Arts and Entertainment (A&E) television documentary The Martial Arts which was narrated by actor George Takei, best known for his role as "Mr. Sulu" in the television series Star Trek. Nijel's research material was later requested for inclusion as part of a college course offered by Scholargy, Inc, in Temple, Arizona in 2001.

As a researcher on the martial arts of 12th Dynasty Kmt, Nijel, is also a member of the Association for the Study of Classical African Civilization (ASCAC), and lectures on the subject. In 1999 Binns served as Editor for CFW Enterprises Inc. and edited the magazine, BKF - The Black Karate Federation Magazine for publicatiion. That magazine was followed by BKF Kenpo: History and Advanced Strategic Principles in 2002, his second book with Kenpo Grandmasters Steve Muhammad and Donnie Williams.

Nijel's writings have included literature for young people such as PARALLAX-The Third Wave, a comic book about a group of multi-ethnic superheroes dedicated to saving the planet under the guidance and leadership of the extraterrestrial "Starchild". The comic book's debut featured cover art and illustrations by noted comic book artist and illustrator Dell Barras. It debut in a 1989 as a cover story in Tales of the Ninja Warriors. In 1995 Nijel published the Story of the Moors coloring and activities book that was co-authored with Robert L. Watt and designed to introduce children to the history of the African Moors in Spain from 711 AD to the year 1492.

As an artist and head of the fine art sculpting firm, Nijart International, Nijel is a sculptor and craftsman of bronze monumental and life-sized statues in the realist tradition. His 16 foot tall "Mother of Humanity" bronze monument was unveiled at the Watts Labor Community Action Committee in 1996 is a prominent work of art in Los Angeles, California.

Nijel's sculptures have been commissioned by The city of Los Angeles (The Charmette Bonpua Monument), The Los Angeles Urban League (The John W. Mack Monument, the Whitney M. Young Jr. Award), Fox Studios (The Shirley Temple Monument), Sony (The Top Selling Artist of the Decade Award), The Great Blacks in Wax museum, and other organizations. His masterworks are owned by the Michael Jackson estate, Stevie Wonder, Natalie Cole, Jackie Chan, Nelson Mandela, Denzel Washington, the Celia Cruz estate, and others.

Nijel is a practitioner of various systems of martial arts since 1968. He has written articles for Inside Kung-Fu, Inside Karate, and Black Belt magazines. Nijel is a member of the Screen Actor's Guild and has worked as a stuntman, stunt coordinator, and actor under the tutelage of Enter The Dragon director Robert Clouse in the films The Big Brawl, Force Five, and China O'Brien 1 and 2. Nijel has also worked with veteran stunt coordinators Pat Johnson and Terry Leonard on Karate Kid 11 and Imposter which starred Gary Sinese.

Early life
Nijel was born in Battersea, England where he grew up until age five. He left England with his parents to Jamaica, West Indies before immigrating to the United States in 1968. Moving to Newark, New Jersey, Nijel attended Burnett Street School and then St. Augustine grammar school in Newark. In the seventh grade Nijel was accepted as a member of the New Jersey Symphony Boys Chorus under the direction of James McCarthy, where he sang alto for a few years. Also during this time, Nijel's entered and won first prize in a locally sponsored art contest at age 14 for which was reported in "The Evening News", May 28, 1970.

Nijel was accepted into St. Benedict's Preparatory School in Newark, New Jersey, as a Freshman in 1970. He helped to organize the African-American students to form the Third World Organization, and was a contributing writer for the school newspaper "The Benedict News" in 1972. St. Benedict's Prep closed temporarily which resulted in Nijel completing high school at Seton Hall Preparatory School in Orange, New Jersey, from where he graduated in 1974.

Sculpture and Monuments

 * Alexander Pushkin (clay), 1920
 * Dorothy Dandridge (clay), 1989
 * The Michael Jackson bust (clay with gold overlay), 1985
 * Lena Horne (clay), 1987
 * The Maasai Princess (bronze), 1990
 * The Mother of Humanity monument (bronze), 1996
 * The Shirley Temple monument (bronze), 2002
 * The John W. Mack Monument (bronze), 2005
 * The John W. Mack Bas Relief (mixed media), 2008
 * The Nate Holden Monument (bronze), 2009
 * The Charmette Bonpua Skate Park Monument (bronze), 2010

Award Designs

 * The Dance Alive Award, 1987
 * The Top Selling Artist of the Decade Award (bronze sculpture), 1990
 * The Whitney M. Young, Jr. Award,
 * The Celia Cruz Gold Standard Medallion,
 * The Michael Jackson 30th Anniversary Fan Award, 2005
 * The Los Angeles Urban League's Whitney M. Young, Jr. Award (re-design), 2007

Literature

 * Championship Kenpo, 1983
 * PARALLAX-The Third Wave, 1989
 * Nuba Wrestling: The Original Art, 1990
 * Story of the Moors, 1995
 * BKF Kenpo - History and Advanced Strategic Principles, 2002

Film, Plays, Dance

 * The Big Brawl, 1980
 * Force-Five, 1985
 * Karate Kid II, 1986
 * China O'Brien, 1998
 * China O'Brien II, 1998
 * Imposter, 2001