Ọlá Àtúnbí is a multidisciplinary artist whose work seamlessly integrates drawing, painting, and collage to explore the complexities of human existence. Grounded in surrealism and
abstraction, his art navigates themes of duality—light and shadow, self and other, reason and
emotion—offering nuanced perspectives on personal and shared experiences.
Ọlá’s diverse body of work spans mediums such as charcoal and pastel on paper, paintings on
collaged canvas, and experimental works on unconventional surfaces like polyester fabric,
cotton fabrics, and woven propylene fabrics. Often drawing inspiration from archival portrait
photographs and his imagination, his creations challenge traditional narratives, inviting viewers to uncover life’s visible and hidden layers. By employing contrasting elements such as form and void, his art strikes a delicate balance between opposing forces like faith and doubt.
Based in Lagos, Nigeria, Ọlá’s talent has earned him significant recognition and opportunities. In 2022, he received the Global Arts in Medicine Fellowship, and in 2021, he participated in the 3x3x3 Project Residency by Nomad Artist. Earlier in his career, he was named Art House Contemporary’s Artist of the Month (2020) and selected for Angels & Muse’s Art Now initiative, where he engaged in workshops, portfolio reviews, and collaborative sessions with African art industry stakeholders.
The late Nsikak Essien, a prominent Nigerian artist, educator, and founding member of the AKA Circle of Exhibiting Artists once described Ọlá as “an able co-conspirator in visual acrobatics and sabre-sharp verbitage,” a testament to his artistic ingenuity.