OLAMIDE OGUNADE OLISCO

Olamide Ogunade Olisco is a visual artist born and based in Lagos, Nigeria. His style combines the expressive power of charcoal and the vibrant texture of acrylic to explore the cultural roots and emotional landscapes of his country. His artistic practice, deeply rooted in tradition but with a contemporary outlook, seeks to convey stories that transcend time, honoring his community while dialoguing with the globalized world.

Ogunade’s work reveals a unique sensitivity to human emotions and cultural identity. His drawings, executed in charcoal, are notable for an intimate, raw quality that reflects both the fragility and resilience of the human spirit. In contrast, his acrylic paintings introduce a vibrant dynamism, with bold colors that evoke the energy of Lagos: the bustle of the markets, the rhythms of Afrobeat, and the narratives woven into the fabrics of Ankara.

Fascinated by the connections between the everyday and the mythical, Ogunade addresses themes such as collective memory, oral traditions, and the tensions between modernity and tradition. Portraits of faces marked by experience are intertwined with symbolic elements that speak of Nigeria’s cultural richness, from the geometric patterns of textiles to the symbols of ancestral festivals.

With each charcoal stroke or acrylic brushstroke, Ogunade invites viewers to reflect on the richness of her cultural heritage and to question the contemporary challenges facing her society. His work has begun to resonate beyond Lagos, standing out in local exhibitions and international platforms as an emerging voice articulating the soul of Nigeria with authenticity and passion.

Olamide Ogunade doesn’t just create art; he captures the very essence of a people, celebrating their diversity and resilience while reimagining their future.

Instagram: @olamideogunade