Olu Ajayi

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.

Olu Ajayi
Born (1963-08-18) 18 August 1963
NationalityNigerian
Occupation(s)Professional artist, painter, cartoonist, and art reviewer
Years active40

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

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.

Career

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

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

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
  1. "Covid-19: Paintings have to go on - The Nation Nigeria". Latest Nigeria News, Nigerian Newspapers, Politics. 7 June 2020. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
  2. Udo, Mary (28 February 2017). "AJAYI, Olu". Biographical Legacy and Research Foundation. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
  3. "Olu Ajayi: Colouring the view". WELCOME TO LUXURY REPORTERS. 5 October 2015. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
  4. "Olu Ajayi". Bloom Art Lagos. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
  5. "Ajayi Olu | MARKET BY THE PALACE (1999) | MutualArt". www.mutualart.com. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
  6. "Ajayi, Olu | Biography". www.mutualart.com. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
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