We were lucky to catch up with Adeyemi Adewole recently and have shared our conversation below.
Adeyemi, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?
I believe my resilience comes from my faith in Jesus Christ, which provides me with spiritual strength, hope, and guidance in navigating challenges and staying committed to my artistic vision.
It also stems from growing up in Nigeria and witnessing the resilience and adaptability of the Nigerian people during my formative years. My Yoruba heritage and cultural traditions have instilled in me a deep sense of determination and perseverance.
Additionally, my personal experiences, struggles, and growth have shaped my artistic journey and fueled my passion for creative expression.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I am a Nigerian visual artist working primarily with acrylics, mixed media, and found materials. My work explores the mystery of human existence—how identity, culture, memory, and emotion intersect and transform us. I’m deeply inspired by Yoruba traditions, the textures of Nigerian life, and the layered complexity of personal and collective experience.
What excites me most about creating art is the process of discovery. I never approach the canvas with all the answers. I let the materials guide me—I experiment, layer, scrape, and rebuild until the work speaks back. That dialogue between intention and accident, between control and surrender, is what makes each piece feel alive and meaningful.
I often incorporate textiles, patterns, and symbolic elements to evoke memory and emotion. There’s something powerful in merging contemporary technique with traditional visual language—it’s my way of honoring the past while speaking to the present.
Beyond the canvas, my brand is rooted in storytelling and connection. I want people to see themselves reflected in my work, or at least feel something that sparks reflection or dialogue. My art isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about empathy, healing, and questioning.
Right now, I’m expanding my body of work to include new themes like environmental sustainability and the role of technology in cultural identity. I’m also working toward a solo exhibition that explores transformation—how people and societies adapt, rebuild, and find meaning in the midst of uncertainty.
For those following my journey, stay connected through upcoming exhibitions and collaborative projects that will be announced soon. Whether you’re an art collector, a fellow creative, or someone just discovering my work, I’m grateful to share this evolving path with you.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back, I’d say the three most impactful elements in my journey have been: discipline, curiosity, and cultural awareness
1. Discipline
Talent alone is not enough—consistency is what builds growth. Developing the discipline to show up, experiment, fail, and try again has shaped my practice more than any single breakthrough. Whether it’s sketching daily, reading about art movements, or just being in the studio even when inspiration is low, that daily commitment creates momentum.
Advice: Start small but stay consistent. Set a routine. Treat your creative practice as seriously as you would any profession. It’s not about perfection—it’s about presence.
2. Curiosity
Curiosity keeps the work alive. I’m constantly asking questions—about life, materials, technique, symbolism, and meaning. That hunger to explore is what pushed me beyond traditional methods and helped me find my voice through mixed media, storytelling, and cultural symbols.
Advice: Stay open. Try new mediums. Study not just art, but history, philosophy, literature, even science—because everything is connected. Let curiosity lead you to unexpected discoveries.
3. Cultural Awareness
Understanding and embracing my cultural roots—Yoruba traditions, Nigerian experiences, and African aesthetics—has been a major turning point in how I express ideas. It gave my work depth, authenticity, and a strong sense of identity.
Advice: Look inward. Learn about your background, your community, your ancestors. Don’t just replicate what’s trending—create from a place that’s honest and rooted. That’s where true originality comes from.
Above all, be prayerful, be patient with yourself. Growth as an artist takes time. Trust the process, stay grounded in your purpose, and always remain a student—of art, of life, and of yourself.
If you knew you only had a decade of life left, how would you spend that decade?
If I knew I only had ten years left, I would spend them with intention, gratitude, and deep focus—doing the things that matter most to my spirit, my purpose, and the people I love.
I would pour myself fully into my art—not for recognition, but as a lasting offering. I would create work that speaks honestly to the human experience: our pain, our joy, our history, and our dreams. I would explore even more boldly—experimenting with forms, collaborating across borders, and using my voice to challenge injustice, heal wounds, and affirm beauty.
I would invest deeply in my community—mentoring younger artists, sharing knowledge, and helping others believe in their gifts. I’d create spaces where art is more than decoration—where it becomes medicine, memory, and movement.
I would spend more time with family, soaking in moments that often get lost in the rush. I would listen more, pray more, and laugh more. I would travel across the continent, reconnect with the sacred places of my heritage, and paint those stories while I still have breath.
And through it all, I would keep my faith at the center. I would spend more time in God’s presence, listening, worshiping, and surrendering the weight of time to His hands. Because ten years—like every year—only truly matters if it’s lived with eternal purpose.
My prayer would be simple:
“Lord, let every stroke, every word, every moment reflect Your glory. Let me live these years fully awake, fully present, and fully obedient to what You created me to be. When it’s time to leave, let there be fruit, let there be love, and let there be light.”
Contact Info:
Image Credits
Adewole Adeyemi Elikaina, Darasimi mustapha, Oyelade Oyewole
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
