Theme of coloniality in contemporary African art. Raised in the palace and church, fractured between Esu and Christ. Unable at first to understand the privilege of living in the palace and the artistic value of the literature, ritual performances, paraphernalia that he saw daily. Used earthenware pots as food and drinking vessels in the palace. Mother’s body bearing indigenous tattoos and markings. Went to school to learn that he was more educated in art, just growing up in the palace, than his teachers. Unlearning by relearning–dismantling and mantling of western coloniality. Picasso and Chagall, no Matisse. Not feminist, yet affectionate towards women because raised by mother while father performed king. Fascinating artist.-
Omogbolahan Adetomiwo Ayoola HRH Artist Statement by Moyo Okediji, Professor of Art and Art history, University of Texas, Austin
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“What we’re here for is not just about decorative stuff on the walls or on stools. We are agents of change. Anytime we are called upon by any part of the society, like gods; we must respond and act to the needs of the society.”– Omogbolahan Adetomiwo Ayoola HRH
Jekami Adetiloye O.: Tell us a bit about your background?
Omogbolahan Adetomiwo Ayoola HRH: I am a Prince of Ipetumodu in Osun state. Father was an Oba, Grandfather was an Oba and we are from the loins of Obatala the moulder of all humans.
“My Art is not just about me, it is a responsibility way beyond just me. It’s a privilege that I am chosen. I am responsible for the world I live in…my work can help a human to take the right path.”– Omogbolahan Adetomiwo Ayoola HRH
Jekami Adetiloye O.: Why art?
Omogbolahan Adetomiwo Ayoola HRH: Mother’s influence. She noticed the talent and encouraged it. I used to draw and sell my own comics in primary school.
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Jekami Adetiloye O.: Your work focuses on abstract expressionism and surrealism. In your words, how do you explain these concepts: abstract, expressionism, and surrealism in line with your paintings and sculptures?
Omogbolahan Adetomiwo Ayoola HRH: Surrealism because I paint my dreams and whatever is revealed to me. Abstract expressionism because I paint what is REAL but not seeable by the natural eyes. The depth of the subconscious where the truth resides.
Jekami Adetiloye O.: What is your creative process like?
Omogbolahan Adetomiwo Ayoola HRH: I engage the human mind a lot. I can’t paint without human interactions.
Wisdom Within is one of the sketches by Omogbolahan Adetomiwo Ayoola HRH. Click here to see more sketches
I rarely sketch by drawing, my sketches are in the form of poetry. I write before I paint any series. I’m nocturnal, so I paint mostly at night.
Click here to follow Omogbolahan Adetomiwo Ayoola HRH on IG
Jekami Adetiloye O.: You draw imagination from the disciplines of archaeology and anthropology. Why is it important for an artist to draw inspiration from other areas aside from art?
Omogbolahan Adetomiwo Ayoola HRH: Everything is Art. Archaeology and anthropology are key for me because if I don’t know where I’m from, I’ll miss out on who I am supposed to be. I’ll miss out on what my responsibility is. I can’t be an artist if I miss out on those things. Behavioral patterns of humans must be clearly understood before I can make Art about the society or the world I live in.
“I’m very raw with my delivery. My Art comes to me and I deliver it the way I see it. I don’t follow trends or go with current flows. If I can’t see a vision of it, if I can’t write a line about it, then I can’t paint it.”– Omogbolahan Adetomiwo Ayoola HRH
Jekami Adetiloye O.: Your special style of presenting a woman with blue skin really stands you out. How can an artist find his/her unique style or identity?
Currently part of an ongoing 3-man group exhibition titled I like you, you’re different (30 January- 26 February 2022) launching AMG PROJECTS new gallery space in Lagos, Nigeria.
Click here for more information on I like you, you’re different by AMG PROJECTS GALLERY featuring Omogbolahan Adetomiwo Ayoola
Omogbolahan Adetomiwo Ayoola HRH: Honesty. Honesty to yourself and the vision you see. Art will come to you if you’re open and pure in spirit.
“Be you and do you with all honesty. The world will notice eventually! No rush.”– Omogbolahan Adetomiwo Ayoola HRH
Jekami Adetiloye O.: Describe your journey into the A-list category of the Global and Nigerian Art Industry?
Omogbolahan Adetomiwo Ayoola HRH: I don’t know about being an A-lister. I am just an artist who’s got major responsibility to the world I live in. I started having relative patronage when I was in the University through a Dutch art dealer. Later I got mentored by Tola Wewe who later introduced me to Signature Art gallery where I had several successful exhibitions and from then onwards, awards followed, international exhibitions, book publications, film productions, and other major projects.
Jekami Adetiloye O.: Can you tell us more about your role and working experience with Netflix on the 2021 Thriller series; Hit and Run; 2019 True Life Crime MiniSeries When They See Us?
Omogbolahan Adetomiwo Ayoola HRH: Well, this whole movie stuff started via emails. The production companies sent me mails asking if it’s something I’ll be interested in and since all documentation was satisfactory, I gave it a shot the first time which was with Ava Duvernay’s When They See Us and the rest was easy from then on.
“I’ll repeat, if you don’t know who or what you are, how will you make Art? Art comes from knowing oneself. It is from within.”– Omogbolahan Adetomiwo Ayoola HRH
Jekami Adetiloye O.: You were one of the artists contracted by Coca-cola to create wall murals to celebrate the uniqueness of regions such as Oyo, Rivers, and Enugu. And offer hope to the people in a time like this. What are some of the responsibilities of artists and organizations in promoting local art and supporting their immediate community?
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Omogbolahan Adetomiwo Ayoola HRH: Mirroring society is a major responsibility. Now how you deliver the mirroring is the key for me. Art is a means of delivering a message just like any preacher. You can preach salvation or doom. What I did with that project is that I preached Salvation. Not only of the human mind but also of the environment. Earth itself needs healing and it’s in our hands as humans to make that happen through our actions. I made the mural at a place used as a refuse dump. I and my assistants joined hands with some of the locals in the area and cleared the refuse. It took us about three days because it was a lot. After clearing and cleaning, we started painting and the people passing or driving by started noticing what we were doing and engaged us with questions. Some also offered to assist. They became vigilantes for the place because they appreciated the transformation that the mural brought to their environment.
Jekami Adetiloye O.: Going back to 2021, you were part of the 19 artists from different countries discovered by Glenfiddich to create a Grand composition artwork for the Glenfiddich Grande Couronne filigree. Eventually, your artistic interpretation was selected and inspired the sleeves of the Glenfiddich Grande Couronne 50 bottles that became an exclusive collection. How did that achievement make you feel to date?
Omogbolahan Adetomiwo Ayoola HRH: That’s a good one. The achievement confirmed more of what I’ve always believed, that artists are limitless in the ways we can affect our society. What we’re here for is not just about decorative stuff on the walls or on stools. We are agents of change. Anytime we are called upon by any part of the society, like gods; we must respond and act to the needs of the society.
“Again I don’t understand being a celebrity cause I’m an artist and that’s above everything else…No laurels to rest upon.”– Omogbolahan Adetomiwo Ayoola HRH
Jekami Adetiloye O.: What are some of the challenges you faced while trying to penetrate the Nigerian Art Industry and how did you scale them?
Omogbolahan Adetomiwo Ayoola HRH: I have to be honest here. I’m a blessed one. I found acceptance of my work quite early and patronage was not a challenge. The grace of God, mentors, belief in what I am, all helped.
Jekami: Your art career has lasted for over 19 years. How would you say you have been able to sustain your career for so long. Especially as a Nigerian-based artist and the unending challenges that come with being one.
Omogbolahan Adetomiwo Ayoola HRH: Again I must repeat that word HONESTY! I’m very raw with my delivery. My Art comes to me and I deliver it the way I see it. I don’t follow trends or go with current flows. If I can’t see a vision of it, if I can’t write a line about it, then I can’t paint it. Those who follow my Art have grown to understand this philosophy and I think the consistency gives them assurance and comfort.
“You have to be true to yourself. Make art from the depth of your soul. Make art from what and who you are. Ignore trends. The world is waiting or looking for your art. Be disciplined. Learn from professionals in other disciplines. Don’t build walls around yourself. Isolation is the death of creativity. Know that your Art is a responsibility to mankind.”– Omogbolahan Adetomiwo Ayoola HRH
Jekami: What are some of the characters you would say contributed largely to getting you to the level you are today?
Omogbolahan Adetomiwo Ayoola HRH: God has never left me alone. We have had a special relationship since I was a boy. Love and support from Family and friends. I’m a very difficult person. So family and friends have really shown me, love, by supporting me and I don’t take that for granted. Again, I’ll mention that word Honesty! You have to be true to yourself. Make art from the depth of your soul. Make art from what and who you are. Ignore trends. The world is waiting or looking for your art. Be disciplined. Learn from professionals in other disciplines. Don’t build walls around yourself. Isolation is the death of creativity. Know that your Art is a responsibility to mankind.
Jekami Adetiloye O.: You did your residency under Tola Wewe. Many artists today chase residencies out of Nigeria and even Africa. But being a resident artist of one of the masters. What is the importance of going through residency under a domestic artist like Tola Wewe as a local artist?
Omogbolahan Adetomiwo Ayoola HRH: It helped me to UNLEARN and UNLOAD academic jargon. The experience drove me more into the Art that resides within me. My birth, my lineage. I learnt about the artist way. I wasn’t taught that in school. Going to residences abroad or even a school abroad won’t affect my core in a negative way, my foundation is already solid and I can build whatever I want on it.
Jekami: Kanbi Projects debuted their presence at Art X Lagos 2021 with a solo exhibition of your We Are Reagents abstract paintings series. Being one of the exhibiting artists, would you say the Art Fair lived up to your expectations?
Click here to see Ayoola’s artworks exhibited at Art X Lagos 2021.
Omogbolahan Adetomiwo Ayoola HRH: It surely did. What I like most about the fair is the consistency in growth. The latest is always better than the previous. Tokini Peterside and her team are doing something right no doubt.
Jekami Adetiloye O.: As a celebrity artist, what would you say are the tricks of managing the pressure and expectations that come with being an artist?
Omogbolahan Adetomiwo Ayoola HRH: Again I don’t understand being a celebrity cause I’m an artist and that’s above everything else. Surrounding myself with humans who will challenge me or what I can call my own successes is very key. No laurels to rest upon. My work is not about me, I am responsible for the world I live in. My Art is not just about me, it is a responsibility way beyond just me. It’s a privilege that I am chosen. It’s also wise to surround myself with professionals in other fields. Be it in law, medicine, music, literature, etc. We rise by learning. Humility shouldn’t be expensive or scarce.
Jekami Adetiloye O.: From your point of view, how can a local (emerging) artist gather influence in the Nigerian Art Industry and attract the spotlight of the international art community?
Omogbolahan Adetomiwo Ayoola HRH: By making Art that is true to you. People are always attracted to revelations and sincerity. This brings some form of uniqueness and it excites the minds of the people. Whether here or there, it’s your acts that the world is waiting to see. Be you and do you with all honesty. The world will notice eventually! No rush.
Jekami Adetiloye O.: In a difficult period like this, What are some of the skills and attitudes an emerging artist needs to survive in a period like this? Especially in recognition of the financial hardships…
Omogbolahan Adetomiwo Ayoola HRH: Be current with all the new communication tools. The social media apps. It is for an artist to understand the times. You can’t survive by staying under the rock. How can you make art about a society you don’t understand?! Read and watch documentaries about everything your mind can conceive. Relate with successful people, it’ll give you hope. Strengthen your faith in all possible ways.
Jekami: Your favorite quote?
Omogbolahan Adetomiwo Ayoola HRH: I KNOW MAGNIFICENT LITTLE THINGS
Jekami Adetiloye O.: How important is the involvement and discussion of source and culture in an artist’s work?
Omogbolahan Adetomiwo Ayoola HRH: I’ll repeat if you don’t know who or what you are, how will you make Art? Art comes from knowing oneself. It is from within. One can take from out into in, but art is regurgitation. Understanding one’s source and culture is the genesis of being able to perform one’s responsibility as an artist.
“Surrounding myself with humans who will challenge me or what I can call my own successes is very key.”– Omogbolahan Adetomiwo Ayoola HRH
Jekami Adetiloye O.: How do you relax?
Omogbolahan Adetomiwo Ayoola HRH: In the company of loved ones. People I can be open with. The energy of such people relaxes my nerves. In those times, I have no worries.
Jekami Adetiloye O.: What keeps you going?
Omogbolahan Adetomiwo Ayoola HRH: My faith in God and the abilities of humans. Evil and good abides but humans are capable of doing whatever they want. I think my work can help a human to take the right path.
Jekami Adetiloye O.: What is the best advice you have ever gotten?
Omogbolahan Adetomiwo Ayoola HRH: To stay in Nigeria and make Art. It came from an artist called Donald Onuoha. Back then I wanted to head out to London and study something else apart from Art for my Master’s degree. I’m not sure what would have happened if I had taken that decision but I’m glad I took his advice.
“Earth itself needs healing and it’s in our hands as humans to make that happen through our actions.”– Omogbolahan Adetomiwo Ayoola HRH