IN LIVING COLOR: MAYOWA AKINGBADE’S TRIBUTE TO MEMORY AND BLACK EXCELLENCE

As I write this, The Moment Called Life—a magnificent solo exhibition by Nigerian artist Oluwamayowa Akingbade—is still on view at NYCH Gallery in Chicago. The show is a testament to the clarity, depth, and emotional weight that define Mayowa’s work. Few artists today paint with such conviction. His brush moves not only with skill, but with soul.

A few days before the opening, I came across Mayowa’s work on Instagram and was immediately drawn in. His paintings felt both intimate and monumental—rooted in personal history, yet resonant far beyond it. I knew I wanted to share his work on this platform. But first, I had to convince him.

Despite his full schedule, Mayowa made time for a conversation. What stood out—beyond his quiet presence—was the seriousness with which he approaches his craft. He spoke about constantly refining his technique, about staying true to his vision, about how knowing what you want as an artist helps you grow. Recognition, he told me, isn’t his goal. What matters is the work—and perhaps that’s why his work speaks so clearly.

Born in 1988 in Lagos, with roots in Ogun State, Mayowa began his artistic journey at Lagos State Polytechnic, where he earned a National Diploma in Art and Industrial Design. He later trained at the Universal Studios of Art, housed at the National Theatre in Lagos, and went on to obtain a Higher National Diploma in Painting from the same institution.

He has steadily built his practice through exhibitions and competitions, winning awards and drawing attention from collectors and curators alike. His work has appeared in The Springs (2014), Eko Art Expo (organized by the Lagos State Government in 2017), the Affordable Art Auction at Mydrim Gallery, Ado Odo Art Expo (2019), and the Miniature Art Fair organized by Ogirikan Gallery that same year. In 2021, he participated in Experience the 2ND, a group exhibition with eight other artists at Koilope Gallery. More recently, he joined A Better Time at Omaka Gallery in London. His current show in Chicago marks his first solo exhibition in the United States—and a significant new chapter in his journey.

Mayowa’s work is deeply reflective. It draws from memory, personal experience, and his surrounding environment, engaging with themes of childhood, identity, relationships, and the African condition. Through figurative and portraiture techniques, he explores the human experience—particularly the lives of Black people—as a way to express individuality and belonging.

A defining element of his style is his use of dark tonal values. These rich, layered palettes do more than set a mood—they symbolize beauty, dignity, and resilience within African culture. His brushwork, often delicate and deliberate, reveals emotion as much as form. Acrylic, his medium of choice, allows for rapid expression and freedom to experiment—qualities that align with the emotional immediacy of his vision.

His paintings are not just images but living experiences—infused with sensitivity, tension, and depth. Each work invites the viewer to pause, to feel, and to reflect. It is through this emotional honesty that Mayowa’s work connects so powerfully.

For him, painting is a form of freedom and self-expression. It is also an act of remembrance, reclamation, and celebration. His art doesn’t just portray life—it honors it, calling attention to the excellence and uniqueness of Black identity while creating space for viewers to reflect on their own.

Thank you, Mayowa, for sharing your vision and allowing your work to speak here. Your art is exquisite—bold, thoughtful, and deeply human. I’m honored to help carry it forward.

Keep moving. Keep creating. The world needs what you bring.

To bring the depth and beauty of his art into your space, click here.

Follow him here: https://www.instagram.com/akingbade_mayowa/

Location: Lagos (Nigeria)