Popoola Nurudeen

Artist’s Biography

Popoola Nurudeen is an indigene of Abeokuta, Ogun State, South west Nigeria. But was born and brought up in Lagos. His works are highly influenced by his origin, taking the indigo (blue) colour of the “Adire” (Tie/dye) to depict his figures. This makes his works go beyond aesthetic but also stand as a drive to make his viewers be able to remember and unite with their origin everywhere they might find themselves.

Nurudeen is a graduate of the prestigious Yaba College of Technology Lagos, where he studied Fine art and majored in painting. He has the award for the best student in (painting section) 2014 and 2015 respectively, and also the overall best graduating student in the school of art, design and printing, Yaba College of Technology Lagos, 2016. He also have the award for the best painting/mixed media in the 2018 Life in my city arts festival (LIMCAF).

He has been part of some exhibitions and competitions which includes: Lasgidi Arts and  Cultural Festival 2012, passing on the torch, (Didi Museum) 2014, Lagos art and fashion exhibition 2015, 5th lasgidi cultural art exhibition 2015, united nations information centre art exhibition 2017, the 9th life in my city art competition 2015 (Lagos finalist), 10th life in my city art competition 2016, world aids day art competition 2015, winner world bipolar day art competition 2018, DIVERSIFORM 1 group exhibition at Moorhouse 2018, ikoyi Lagos,Lasgidi Art and cultural exhibition, Freedom park lagos 2018,  Lagos Contemporary art exhibition (lekki  coliseum) 2019, DIVERSIFORM 2 art exhibition 2019, Diversiform 3 exhibition, Diversiform 4 exhibition, 2021. He had his first solo exhibition "EVOLVE" February 2021.

He exhibited at the 2022 Dak'Art Biennale, Senegal. He’s one of the finalists in the annual NOK exhibition in Thought Pyramid Art Centre, Lagos 2023. He featured in “Green fuse”, a group exhibition at Graham Contemporary, Johannesburg in 2023.He also exhibited at “Last Act” a group exhibition in Thought Pyramid Lagos, December 2023. 

His works has been collected both locally and internationally. after his NYSC, he worked briefly as a lecturer at The Ultimate University Portnovo, Beninrepublic. Popoola works are inspired by Africa and its people.