Oluwole Omofemi Nigeria, 1988

He is an international Nigerian artist who was born in the ancient city of Ibadan, where he developed his artistic talent and received lessons of older artists. However, he spent part of his childhood in Edo state Nigeria when his mother was estranged. She took him to Etsako, Agenebode – a fishing community in a costal region. Here, he lived as a fishmonger. Then, Omofemi’s mother and he, later reunited with his grandpa. Still seething with creative energy, he was registered at a primary school. He later went to live with his paternal grandpa who taught him to have a strong attitude about life. At his early years, Omofemi sold beers in order to buy drawing books so he could kickstart his artistic career. The hustle and bustle of Ibadan metropolis, especially the popular Dugbe Market, were factors that imbued him with creative impulses, and fired his artistic imagination. He later met Tope Fatunbi, a professional artist, from whom he acquired some first-hand informal artistic skills. Omofemi was later recognized as one of the best artsts at his Junior Secondary School – Community Grammar School, Mokola, Ibadan. He has had a teaching period, as well as had opened a Kiosk for the display of his miniatures.

His strength as an artist lies in showcasing human figures. His chosen media are oil and acrylic with preference for oil. Omofemi’s first arts exhibition was at the National Museum, Ibadan, Nigeria, then in the Alliance Françé, Ibadan. His other exhibitions include the ones at some prestigious galleries in Lagos, Italy, Belgium and Ghana. He has had one solo exhibition to his credit. For him, African Art has more depth since it is often a portrayal of sometime complex personal experiences. His mind continues to resonate with childhood experiences that proved material for his arts. He believes art has a functional role in society to correct vices, to reveal the messages in the mind of the artist, and as a record of the past. He received his Higher National Diploma from the Polytechnic of Ibadan, where he was also recognized as one of the best graduating students of the year. As a visionary, Omofemi has always wanted to deploy arts to better the lot of the underprivileged, to showcase African fashion and feminine charm, and to bring about the rediscovery of afrocentric pride. His works are widely collected in Nigeria and abroad.