Meet Abifola Olorunlana | Painter and Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Abifola Olorunlana and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Abifola, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?

Art has always been a means of relaxing my mind,experiencing it and also while making it. My love for art wasn’t something that developed overtime rather spontaneous. Since when I was little, I created art whenever and wherever; most times in class with my friends, one of who was E.D Adegoke; at home as well; wherever I find a pencil/pen/paint/wax crayon and paper I tend to do something. Although I didn’t read any real meaning to it, I just derived joy from it. Whenever I come across TV programs where art is being discussed, I was always enthusiastic to listen to artists talk about their work(s). I never knew I was going to end up practicing it professionally.

Fast forward to 2015 when I was done with my secondary education, I needed to explore my artistic creativity so I began to save up to buy art supplies which I eventually did. I started making portrait drawings with charcoal and graphite. As I began to perfect my craft,I started getting commissions; at this point I began to see art as more than just a means of showing offmy talent,but rather a career path. Ever since I have been working towards being a successful artist. 

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.

My current style of art is figurative paintings of Black people and my current bodies of works address the importance of family and parents inculcating the traditional practices in their children in order to prevent the cultures of the African society from going into extinction since we have now absorbed the western practices and ways of life into our daily life as Africans. What keeps my paintings outstanding from that of other artists is my style of painting portraiture; my brush strokes and the use of dark redish-brown colour as the skintone of my subjects. Firstly, I’m proud of my profession as an artist,secondly I’m proud of my achievements so far, which is having to exhibit in galleries in and outside of my country, Nigeria. I’ve also had my works published in art magazines both in and outside the country.

I’m excited about what the future holds for me in this artistic journey of mine.

The journey has been quite tough for me right from the beginning because my parents never bought the idea of me becoming an artist professionally. They wanted me to become an engineer or a doctor. I never got any financial support from them up until my parents passing . Their decision never stopped me from pursuing my passion. After my mother’s passing, I had to prove to my father art wasn’t just about drawing/painting;by getting my works into exhibition shows,working to get commissions and having not to worry my father over my basic financial needs. He was convinced and gave me his moral support.

One of the ways for you to experience growth in your life and and career is to make friends and surround yourself with people who think like you and as zealous as you are; something I took to practice and has been working for me. I began going out to exhibition shows just to experience art and make friends with artists. Some of who I’m now close friends with. I’ve been exposed to a couple of opportunities via them, and also gained few knowledge of how the art industry works from some of them, which is one of the things that has gotten me to where I am today as a professional artist.

In this journey of becoming a successful artist,so far I’ve learnt one if the best ways to grow is to go out to see how things are being done by other people in your field. Sometimes when things don’t work out as planned doesn’t mean it’ll never work out,its probably just for that period: Everything takes time.

I want to work to the level where my art will be studied in schools and universities,this will definitely take time but its achievable.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?

Abeokuta,the capital city of Ogun State,Nigeria is one of my favorite places to visit. It is home to Egba people of the Yoruba tribe. Abeokuta is also home to an historical rock called Olumo rock which serves as the most significant representation of the Egba people. Whenever I visit Abeokuta, one of the first things I do is visit my regular ewa aganyi spot. Ewa aganyi is one of my favorite local dishes. I’d advice anyone visiting the city for the first time to try out ewa aganyi. I sometimes go to Woke City,also one of my favorite spots to eat and drink in the city. Olumo rock,one of the most significant and exciting places to visit in the city; its the center of tourist attraction in the city. If you want to learn about the history of Abeokuta,one of the best places to go is Olumo rock. From the top the rock,you can also get a clear view of some parts of the city.

The Alake of Egba Palace is also a go to place in Abeokuta,it is where the traditional ruler of the Egba people reside,although a new one has been built in modern architecture, behind the old one,it is also a center of tourist attraction. It holds so many stories and history of past rulers of the Egba people.

One other popular place to go is the Itoku market,an ancient market for different kinds of adire fabric. Adire is a locally made fabric,produced through a process called tye and dye. It is produced in industrial quantity by Yoruba tribe,southwestern Nigeria. It is common amongst the Egba people of Ogun, Nigeria. The Itokun market is the biggest Adire market in Nigeria and Africa. People come from different parts of the country to buy Adire/Kampala fabrics. Locally made jewelry, sculptures and fashion materials are also sold at Itokun market. Anyone visiting the city should also stop at Itokun market for it is one of the places that makes the city what it is. 

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?

I want to make a big shout out to my childhood friend E.D Adegoke for always motivating me to keep up with the energy and zeal in my artistic journey. E.D Adegoke is a painter, writer and a poet. He has had his writings in form of essays, political journals and articles published on various media platforms such as Sahara reporters, foundation for investigative journalism and more. His books and poetry collections have also been published on online bookstores. He has also exhibited his paintings with various art galleries in and outside Nigeria. In 2021 he had his first solo show at KÓ Art space one of Nigeria’s leading galleries which was one of the things that elevated his artistic career to what it is today. He has been very hardworking and I believe I few time, he’ll get all the goodness and successes he deserves as an individual and artist. E.D Adegoke is a true artist and friend.

Website: https://linktr.ee/abifolaolorunlana

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abifola_/

Other: https://tenderphoto.substack.com/p/abifola-olorunlana?utm_source=email