Olu Ajayi
Olu Ajayi | |
|---|---|
| Born | 18 August 1963 |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Occupation(s) | Professional artist, painter, cartoonist, and art reviewer |
| Years active | 40 |
Olu Ajayi (born 18 August 1963) is a Nigerian professional artist, painter, cartoonist, and art reviewer, with over 40 years experience in studio practice and Art Administration. He is a past chairman of the Society of Nigerian Artists, Lagos State chapter[1] and is a trustee of the Guild of Professional Artists of Nigeria (GFA). Olu Ajayi is also a board member of the Visual Art Society of Nigeria (VASON), and a Fellow of the Society of Nigerian Artists. He is listed in the Who is Who in Art compendium, as well as being honoured as a Top 100 Artist.
He has held exhibitions in Nigeria, South Africa, USA, UK, Canada, and other European countries. He has also sold in Burnham's Auction House.
Early life[edit]
Olu was born on 18 August 1963[2] and is a native of Ososo, in Akoko Edo LGA of Edo State.[1] He graduated from the Auchi Polytechnic in 1984 with a HND in Fine Arts.[3] Olu Ajayi illustrated Xanti by Neville Ukoli, and the Aboki Comic Strip of Defunct The Sunday Observer Newspapers. He was also the in-house cartoonist of Defunct The Nigerian Observer Newspapers.[citation needed]
Career[edit]
Olu Ajayi is one of the early pioneers of water colour paintings in Nigeria.[3] After becoming a member of the Society of Nigerian Artists (SNA), he rose to become the President of the Lagos Chapter between 2008 – 2014 and instituted the October Rain and Art Café events that marks SNA's yearly programmes.[1] He was also the founding member of the Guild of Professional Fine Artists[3] and his works had been commissioned work for several institutions including commercial banks, churches, galleries and blue-chip companies.[2]
His works had been exhibited in Nigeria, Africa and Europe and served as a consultant across local and international art platforms.[4] He has reviewed Funnso Ogunlade's "A Promise of Harvest”, Humphrey Bekaren's "A New Pride”, Abraham Ogbodo's "Painting a New Order", Chinwe Uwatse's "A Blaze of Colour", and "Eccentric Paintings" by the Sunday Times Newspapers, Lagos.[2]
Style[edit]
Olu Ajayi is inspired by the 1980s art scene, Adolph Frederick Reinhardt and Salvador Dalí.[3] He prefers working on the female forms using bold colors representing pseudo human figures caught in candid positions.[4]
Notable work[edit]
Market by the Palace[5] (1999) an oil on canvas painting was his highest grossing exhibited work sold at Arthouse Contemporary Limited in 2008.[6]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c "Covid-19: Paintings have to go on - The Nation Nigeria". Latest Nigeria News, Nigerian Newspapers, Politics. 7 June 2020. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
- ^ a b c Udo, Mary (28 February 2017). "AJAYI, Olu". Biographical Legacy and Research Foundation. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
- ^ a b c d "Olu Ajayi: Colouring the view". WELCOME TO LUXURY REPORTERS. 5 October 2015. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
- ^ a b "Olu Ajayi". Bloom Art Lagos. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
- ^ "Ajayi Olu | MARKET BY THE PALACE (1999) | MutualArt". www.mutualart.com. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
- ^ "Ajayi, Olu | Biography". www.mutualart.com. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
External links[edit]
- Profile archive at Who's Who in Nigeria
- Profile at ArtXLagos