From the moment I encountered Adeleke’s work, I was utterly captivated. His art is nothing short of sublime, characterized by exquisite finesse, intricate details, and scenes illuminated by sparkling lights. It evokes powerful emotions, and I found myself completely won over.

Initially, Adeleke had graciously allowed me to publish some of his pieces, but I was eager to meet the artist in person, so I decided to wait patiently. A few months later, we connected via video call, and I was introduced to the world of this “master of light.”

Adeleke’s artistic journey began at an early age, inspired by his father, who pursued art in his spare time. By the age of six, he was drawing, fueled by a passion for comic books. His talent quickly became evident in elementary school, where classmates would pay him for custom drawings.

Despite his early recognition of his artistic destiny, Adeleke faced pressure from his father, who, while loving art, hoped his son would choose a more conventional career, such as medicine, that promised financial stability.

When the time came for university, Adeleke told his father he would study architecture. In reality, he enrolled in a fine arts program at the Federal College of Education in Abeokuta, graduating in 2004. When his father found out, he felt guilty for not supporting his son’s dream. That’s all in the past now, as Adeleke has been a full-time artist for over two decades.

Adeleke has participated in numerous exhibitions, driven by a perfectionism that pushes him to continually enhance his work. His themes often delve into social issues, particularly those affecting Nigerian society, such as class struggle, human relationships, and infrastructure challenges. His latest exhibition, titled “Light Resolutions,” explored the failures of Nigeria’s electricity sector and its impact on daily life, where power cuts are a common reality.

Through his vibrant city illustrations, Adeleke captures Nigeria’s energy potential and envisions what the country could become.

A striking aspect of his artistic process is that he works without references; everything originates from his creative mind. However, before he begins, he carefully considers how to arrange the elements on his canvas in a logical and organic manner.

Just before our interview, Adeleke returned from New York, where he was commissioned to create works featuring illuminated bridges. Immersing himself in the city’s vibrant energy and iconic nighttime panoramas inspired him to craft stunning masterpieces.

Adeleke’s fascination with horse racers stems from his admiration for the Durbar Festival, an annual equestrian celebration of the Hausa people in northern Nigeria. Historically, the Hausa have been recognized as the horsemen and warriors of the Sahara and Sahel. It’s worth noting that his wife’s origins in this region probably accentuated his interest in this culture.

The horsemen in Adeleke’s art symbolize the race of life that we all navigate and the resilience we demonstrate when facing obstacles.

Through his work, Adeleke invites viewers to look beyond the images, to dream, and to explore potential solutions to the challenges they encounter both individually and collectively.

It was a privilege to learn from such a humble and experienced artist. I hope to one day visit him in his studio.

Thank you for this inspiring encounter, Adeleke. May you continue to dazzle us with your art.

You can follow and contact him here: https://www.instagram.com/adelekeakeemolajide/

Location: Lagos (Nigeria)