We are delighted to receive our second cohort of fellows as they begin residency at our studio. The first cohort arrived in March and has now successfully concluded their residency. Alongside our team, they will be developing their practice ‘virtually’, allowing the second cohort to learn, research and co-create in a conducive creative space with access to literature, art resources, and everything they need to refine their creative practice.
Our second cohort comprises six exceptional artists. They are:
Jadesola Olaniyan
Jadesola Olaniyan (b. October 16, 1997) is a self-taught multidisciplinary visual artist born and based in Lagos, Nigeria. Originating from Ekiti and Delta State, the artist’s portfolio explores mediums such as painting, sculpture, printmaking, and illustration. In 2021, she completed her BA (Hons.) in Anthropology at the University of British Columbia (2015-2021).
Image courtesy of Iyanuoluwaponinuayemi
Her work is deeply concerned with the concept of the soul, human consciousness, memory, identity, spirituality, mortality, and existence. In 2021, she started re-exploring traditional mediums such as painting, sculpture, and printmaking through the lens of abstraction. Since then, her works have been featured in art magazines such as, “With intentions” and “Burning Magazine”. A selection of her prints was also featured at the Unity Arts Collective’s group show, “Floating Thoughts: Where Do We Go From Here?”. In December 2022, she returned to Lagos, Nigeria to explore the arts and culture community where she has continued to produce various works and artistic projects. In 2023, she began developing her curatorial practice alongside her work as a visual artist.
Onesa Oroughor
Onesa Oruoghor is a Lagos-based visual artist whose practice includes textile design, painting, and performance art. Her work explores themes of mental health and its impact on individuals and the Lagos society. She has participated in exhibitions and performances including “Mirror, Mirror” Art X Lagos, 2019; “Where feet thread” at the miniature art fair, Lagos, Nigeria 2019; “Will I still carry water when I’m dead?” group performance with Wura Ogunji at (CCA) 2013 in Lagos, Nigeria; “Trouble city in darkness” an experimental multimedia performance in 2022 and “The Inner City at the Jabi Lake Mall, Abuja 2022, the rebirth of authenticity at (Abele Art Foundation ) Lagos, Nigeria 2023, “While We Live We Are Not Strong “ group exhibition at (Galari) 2023 in Lagos, Nigeria.
Image courtesy of Iyanuoluwaponinuayemi
Faith Omole
Hailing from the quiet town in Kogi State, Nigeria, Faith Omole is a visual artist who captures the soul of Africa through her evocative works in acrylic on canvas and intricate mask making.
Influenced by the profound symbolism of Adinkra, originating from Ghana, her work is a homage to African heritage, a testament to the dying wisdom of a culture under siege. In every brushstroke and intricately carved mask, Omole weaves a tapestry of African stories that span generations. Her work is a poignant reminder that culture is more than just tradition—it is a testament to the resilience, struggles, and triumphs of a people who have shaped the continent’s destiny.
Image courtesy of Iyanuoluwaponinuayemi
With the tragic loss of a beloved family member, her work takes an intimate bend, exploring the profound connections between family and lovers; encapsulating moments of tenderness, longing, and shared memories. Her art becomes a vessel of solace and healing, offering a sanctuary where emotions are laid bare and relationships are immortalized.
A defining hallmark of Omole’s studio practice is her unparalleled mastery of color contrast. She harnesses this skill to create captivating illusions on the canvas, a magical interplay of hues that conceal and reveal forms. Viewers are drawn into a realm where hidden figures lie in wait, revealing themselves only to the attentive observer.
Obiwuru Esther
Obiwuru Esther is a Nigerian artist born and raised in Lagos. As a prolific painter, she fell in love with the arts after she enrolled at the Lagos State Polytechnic for their Art and Industrial Design program and would conclude her industrial training at the Universal Studios of Art, Lagos. Her journey as an Artist has advanced as she develops her art.
Image courtesy of Iyanuoluwaponinuayemi
Esther is a figurative artist, drawing inspiration from her environment, thoughts, childhood, African beauty, and way of life. In her works, there is a blend of the modern and traditional cultures accustomed to Africans. According to her, she uses art to ‘express my inner feelings. I want people to see hope in hopeless situations, the positive side of life, and reassure them of their dignity and self-worth. Esther has participated in several group exhibitions.
Rebecca Akindunjoye
Akindunjoye Rebecca is a practicing visual artist and embroiderer who hails from Ondo West, Ondo State, and Southern Nigeria. A self-taught artist from a tender age with a love and great passion for art, she earned her Bachelor in Fine Art Education at the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Osun State (2018).
Image courtesy of Iyanuoluwaponinuayemi
According to her, ‘My work is a celebration of mankind in all its beautiful variations. I find inspiration in the kaleidoscope of human experiences, capturing the essence of diverse cultures, genders, and identities. Through my art, I aim to reflect the unity that binds us all while honoring the individuality that makes each person unique, which is greatly reflected in the movement of my embroidery works. In each strand of my wool of various colors, I seek to convey the power of diversity and the strength of our shared humanity, transcending boundaries and fostering a more inclusive world. I create my art with decorative stitches, traditional embroidery, and needlepoint using yarn and needles as a preferred tool on fabric, which celebrates mankind in general, such as the young, the old, the rich, the poor, male and female, the working class, the middle class, and the ordinary.
She participated in the Inside Out (Art of My Heart) Exhibition in 2019, the 3rd Ibadan Art Fair by Affordable Art Online, and Invigoration” at Fobally Art Gallery, where she displayed embroidery works with other creative artists. Some of her works include ‘Go Getter’, ‘Better Days Ahead’, and ‘Focus’, among others.
Akinremi Priscilla
Priscilla Akinremi, a Nigerian Serigraphy Printmaker, was born in Oshodi, Lagos State on June 22, 1996. Priscilla studied Fine and Applied Art at the University of Benin, with a specialization in Textile design. Following her academic journey, she made a seamless transition into the world of Serigraphy.
Priscilla spent the majority of her early life in an environment deprived of the essential amenities required for a normal life. This profoundly influenced her choice of artistic themes. She incorporates available technological resources into her creative process. Initially manipulating images on a computer, she transitioned to the conventional method of producing serigraphy. Priscilla’s approach involves the use of textile ink on canvas, with a typical palette of 3-5 colors for each print. Her artistic expression revolves around the use of colors on the human form, exploring the influences of politics, religion, parenting, and societal dynamics. Her focus is keen on illuminating the experiences of women and children.
Image courtesy of Iyanuoluwaponinuayemi
Concurrently, she celebrates the inherent beauty, strength, and elegance of African culture. Having actively taken part in group exhibitions on a national scale, Priscilla stands as a seasoned art educator and a passionate advocate for art’s role in fostering healing.
