Omar Ceesay ("Jockey")  was born in April 1979 in Bakau, The Gambia. His artistic journey began at the age of nine while attending the Bakau Community Centre Nursery School, where he took his first steps in painting and drawing. In his youth, he developed a passion for large-scale murals, using simple cooking charcoal to create expressive wall paintings throughout his neighborhood. He continued his education at Bakau Primary School and completed his secondary schooling from Forms 1 to 4.

At the age of 19, Ceesay made the definitive choice to pursue a career as a professional artist, embracing the unique challenges and dedication required by the craft. Today, he is a devoted husband and the father of five children. To support his family and sustain his practice, he balance fine art with professional house painting and custom commercial design contracts. Over the years, his community gave him the nickname "JOCKEY"—a name he proudly uses as his artist signature to this day.

Throughout his career, Ceesay has successfully built an international clientele of art collectors from Europe and overseas, many of whom are frequent visitors to The Gambia. During the high season, from October to the end of March, he can be found working and showcasing his vibrant pieces at his open-air studio located at the Kunta Kinteh Beach Complex.