Ademola Ojo

Nigeria

"Deeply rooted in Yoruba history, symbolism, and ancestral knowledge, Ojo’s work functions as a contemporary visual archive — one that both honours and reimagines traditional modes of expression. Central to his artistic language is the recurring use of scarification patterns, which draw direct visual resonance with the Ife Bronze Heads. Far from decorative, these motifs act as cultural signifiers of identity, lineage, and embodied memory within Yoruba cosmology.

Working predominantly in oil and acrylic on large-format canvases, Ojo navigates the space between tradition and modernity. His practice engages critically with indigenous African knowledge systems while reflecting on the lasting influence of Western cultural frameworks. Through this dialogue, his paintings transcend representation — they provoke. Each piece opens a layered conversation around continuity, adaptation, and the evolving narrative of African visual heritage in the contemporary world.
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MEET

Ademola Ojo

Ademola Ojo (b. 1995) is a Nigerian visual artist whose paintings reflect a deep connection to Yoruba history and visual symbolism. Working primarily in oil and acrylic on canvas, his work positions him within a new generation of contemporary African artists redefining identity through visual language.

Based in Ile-Ife — a city often regarded as the spiritual centre of Yoruba civilisation — Ojo draws from traditional aesthetics, including scarification patterns reminiscent of the celebrated Ife Bronze Heads, transforming them into powerful motifs of lineage and individuality.

More than simple decoration, his large-scale paintings act as a visual archive, bridging ancient cosmologies with present-day narratives. Ojo’s work sits at the intersection of fine artworks and cultural commentary, offering collectors, curators and art gallery audiences a layered experience rooted in heritage, resistance, and transformation.

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