Lawal Habib Olanrewaju | Contemporary Art & Figurative Painting

"Glit and Glam" by Nigerian artist Olanrewaju (2024), a contemporary figurative painting inspired by fashion, luxury, and modern African femininity. Presented by Afrikanizm.

"My work reflects my observations and interpretations of the world, encouraging viewers to see the beauty in familiar objects while contemplating the complexities of the human condition through my artistic lens."

MEET

Olanrewaju

Lawal Habib Olanrewaju is a contemporary visual artist based in Lagos, Nigeria, whose vivid and emotionally resonant paintings reflect the energetic rhythm of urban life. His artistic journey began in early childhood, sparked by an intuitive fascination with poster colors and colored pencils, which eventually led him to study at Yaba College of Technology, where he earned a Higher National Diploma in Painting.

Blending oil and acrylic on canvas, Olanrewaju’s work is known for its bold palettes, textured surfaces, and precise figurative detail. Each piece is a reflection on identity, movement, and emotion, capturing the human experience with both vibrancy and vulnerability. His compositions often mirror the cultural dynamism and layered realities of Lagos, portraying both the joy and tension of everyday life in Nigeria’s largest city.

For Olanrewaju, painting is more than technique—it is a living force, a way to document and decode the world around him. His evolving practice pushes the boundaries of contemporary African expression, inviting viewers into a universe where color becomes language and every brushstroke tells a story.

FROM OUR BLOGUE

Contemporary African Museums You’ll Regret Not Visiting

Across Africa, a new generation of museums is redefining how contemporary art is presented, preserved, and experienced. From Morocco to Mozambique, these institutions are building cultural infrastructure and shaping the future of African artistic narratives.

Cape Town didn’t follow the global art agenda this year — it set it

The Investec Cape Town Art Fair reaffirmed its role as Africa’s most influential art platform. This Is Not A White Cube showcased Osvaldo Ferreira and Sanjo Lawal—artists positioned within a rapidly strengthening continental ecosystem.

Fairs, Millions and Underrepresentation: Why Visibility Still Lags

African artists are achieving record-breaking sales at auctions and gaining institutional recognition. Yet at major global art fairs, representation remains disproportionately low. This article explores the structural reasons behind the visibility gap—and what must change.

The Archive Is Political: African Artists Rewriting History

Across Africa and its diaspora, artists are transforming the archive into a site of resistance. By reconstructing erased histories and challenging colonial records, they are turning memory into power—and art into a political act.

Who Really Wins When African Art Sells for Millions?

African art is reaching unprecedented prices at global auctions, but behind the headlines lies a more complex reality. This article examines who truly benefits when African artworks sell for millions—and whether these moments translate into long-term value for artists, communities, and the continent itself.

Protest, Memory, Power: What Art in Africa Is Really Saying - From the street to the canvas, a visual language of resistance

Across Africa, artists are transforming visual culture into a language of resistance. From street art born in protest to museum works that archive erased histories, this article explores how African art speaks through protest, memory, and power—and why it matters now more than ever.

The Silent Power of Black Collectors: Who’s Buying, Who’s Shaping, and Why It Matters More Than Ever

In the conversation around African contemporary art, artists and curators often take centre stage. But behind the scenes, a quieter force is steadily reshaping the landscape: Black collectors. No longer passive observers or late-stage buyers, they are influencing markets, museums, and the very narratives that define what—and who—is considered valuable in the art world.

They’re Not Just Emerging. They’re Disrupting — African Artists Who Are Redefining the Art World in 2026

In 2026, African contemporary artists are no longer peripheral voices: they’re shaping global artistic narratives, innovating new forms, and commanding institutional, market, and critical attention. From market giants to digital pioneers, these creators are proving that African art isn’t emerging — it’s leading.

View All