Afolabi’s works evoke in me a deep sense of serenity, nostalgia, and well-being. When I contemplate them, I feel as if I’ve “returned home”, where everything is so familiar and pleasant. For me, his art is a true haven of peace.

The hour-long videoconference I had with Afolabi was very rich on an artistic, human, and spiritual level. Afolabi started drawing at the age of 7 on anything and everything: magazines, newspapers, walls, clothes, so much so that his father soon noticed his artistic abilities. The well-meaning father planned and tried to direct his son’s talent towards the printing press and signage industry. But, to his great disappointment, Afolabi had a completely different conception of art. He needed to « create something ».

His passion being stronger than anything else, Afolabi ended up entering a fine arts program but found it difficult to embrace the approach, which was too theoretical for his taste. So he began rigorously honing his skills with fellow students and upperclassmen. This was followed by intensive workshops and mentoring periods with artists who inspired him, such as Damidola Opedun and Yusuf Durodola, and the meticulous study of works by great masters such as Rembrandt. All this helped him build his style and identity as an artist.

One of the highlights of our conversation was when Afolabi told me where he got his inspiration from.

Afolabi grew up in Bariga, which is considered one of the most unsafe areas in Lagos (Nigeria’s capital). He grew up in a family of 9 children in poverty. When his mother sent him out to buy gari (cassava flour) on credit, he would go, but once there, would withdraw out of shame. He’d end up by the waterside, watching the water, the sun reflecting in it, and the waves, which relaxed him and made him forget his surroundings.

This sense of peace is exactly what he constantly strives to convey through his pieces, which often feature waterbodies and the setting sun in the background. I think Afolabi knows perfectly how to soothe the soul. To me, he’s a healer.

I find it incredibly inspiring that, despite the conditions in which he grew up, he was able to capture the best of them and offer it to the world. Today, he’ll full-time artist and his dearest dream is to become a better artist and help make the people around him happy because he’s seen too many suffer.

Afolabi, you’re surely one of the most inspiring artists I’ve met. Keep bringing your beautiful creations to the world. It makes it better.

To acquire one or more of Afolabi’s wonderful and ‘curative’ works, follow and contact him here: https://www.instagram.com/atiye_afolabi/

Location: Lagos (Nigeria)