As soon as Zainab responded positively and enthusiastically to my request for a Zoom call, I knew she was a passionate artist, and this was confirmed during our conversation.

Her art, which she describes as a fusion of abstraction and realism, had seduced me a few days earlier on Instagram. And naturally, my curiosity led me to look for the artist behind it.

I discovered a very inspiring young artist whose words I could not resist listening to when she spoke of her sources of inspiration, particularly Nigerian sculpture, her pride in being a young African woman, and her desire to paint a beautiful portrait of black identity. For me, it’s a done deal.

Zainab, who is still in art school, is on a constant quest to evolve as an artist, and I can’t help imagining the heights she’ll reach in a few years, given her current level.

Thank you for this most inspiring discussion, Zainab, and I do not doubt that you will become a well-established artist in the art world in a few years. Here’s my little nudge in that direction. Enjoy her work.

You can follow and contact her here: https://www.instagram.com/oluwatidamilola_ajala/

Location: Lagos (Nigeria)