Adeola Balogun

Adeola Balogun Combines a fully engaged studio practice with an academic career

at Nigeria’s premier tertiary institution, The Yaba College of Technology. He

graduated from Yaba College of Technology, with specialization in sculpture

(1993/94) and Masters in Fine Art (MFA, Sculpture) at the University of Benin

(2001/4), Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. He also acquired a PhD (studio) in

Sculpture (2019) from the Delta State University, Abraka, Delta State.

Adeola Balogun is well recognized as a prolific contemporary Nigerian artist. As a

multidimensional artist, he has built a reputation in his prowess manipulating

sculpture mediums however, his artistry transcends this distinction traversing

other regions of the visual arts. This he realizes through uncanny capacity in

transforming mundane materials that have seemingly lost their primary purpose

into object of remarkable aesthetic contemplation, imbued with multilayered

meanings.

Over the years, Balogun has carefully nurtured a reputation for himself as a

sculptor who animates his material with an eye for fluidity. This is a fluidity that

brings to life items of daily use which may seem to have fallen into disuse, but are

revived by the artist’s wish to make them stand again and speak in that way in

which sculptural art, for all its fixity, is able to speak to our imagination. It is a

fluidity that engages in a critical conversation with the condition of society,

utilizing objects from our everyday existence to make comments on issues of our

daily experience.

Adeola’s works continue to generate interest in Nigeria and beyond with his

iconic bull series realized through the exploration of discarded materials that include rubber tires, lithographic plate, circuit boards, and more recently, old

coins. He is predisposed to interrogating found materials or discarded elements

peculiar to his host community during residencies. His adroit application of horse

shoes in the interrogation of life-size equine figures in the Netherlands has

endeared him to a substantial followership in that clime.

His creative trajectory straddles diverse mediums, techniques and concepts in

sifting and espousing the essence and the crystallization of his subject. Recurring

in his creative explorations is the up-cycling of e-wastes (electronic panels). These

are engaged through their characteristic of being integral components in

technology, either in two or three dimensions. Adeolaapplies electronic wastes as

a universal metaphor tointerrogate the notion of technology and transformation.

Adeola Balogun staged his thirteenth (13th) solo exhibition, themed:

Transmogrification(2022). Othersinclude: Current Rhythm, CAMAA(2019),

Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan, Tribute to Fela(2019), Galleri

Astley, Uttersberg, Sweden, Bubbles of Emotion(2017), Omenka Gallery, Ikoyi,

Lagos, Connections I & II (2015), Galleri Astley and GalleriPumphause, Uttesberg

and Trollhattan, respectively, Sweden, Mirage I (2014), ArtHub, Abudhabi,

Mirage II(2014), Quintessence Gallery, Lekki, Lagos, Matter Redirected I &

II,Galleri Astley, Uttesberg and GalleriPumphause, Trollhattan, Sweden (2013),

Soundspiration, Omenka Gallery, Ikoyi, Lagos, Ants and Giants(2011),

Quintessence Gallery, Ikoyi, Lagos, Infinite Patterns(2009)), Nike Art Gallery,

Lekki, Lagos, TheSeed Phenomenon(2006) amongst others. He has also

participated in several group shows such as Artssembly(2003) Ajorin Dance

Metaphor(2020), October Rain(2022), and others. Several commissioned

projects within Nigeria and beyond aretohis credit. He was an artistinresidence

in 2013, 2015, 2019 atGalleri Asley , Uttesberg, Sweden, artist-in-residency,at

ArtHub (2014), Abu Dhabi, UAE amongst others.

Some of his selected public commissioned works include the late Michael Ibru

statue (bronze, 2017), at Michael & Cecilia Ibru University, Delta State, The late

Ayangburen of Ikorodustatue (2015), Ikorodu, Lagos, ObafemiAwolowo (19ft)

statue, formally at Allen round-about, Ikeja, Funso Williams bronze statue (18ft),

at Western Avenue round-about, Also are the Towards Achieving Distinction,

(welded metal sculpture, 25ft) and Symbol of Justice and Culture statue (bronze,

26ft), commissioned by PrinceYemisiShyllon, for the University of Ibadan

Campus, Oyo State (2009) and University of Lagos (2015), Nigeria, respectively.

His works History(2015), welded steel sculpture (11ft) and Outflow, an installation, are both at Galleri Asley collection, Uteshberg,and Veteran at The

People’s House, Trollhattan,Sweden.

Balogun has participated inseveral seminars and conferences both within and

beyond the shores of Nigeria. Hehas also contributed to journal publications. He

has facilitated and/or participated in several creative workshops such as

Quintessence Nigeria Limited/ Galleri Astley Residency (2013, 2015, 2019),

Sweden and First Upcycling (2014), Art Hub, Abu Dahbi, UAE, Harmattan

Workshop, Nigeria, and others.

A large body of Balogun’s life-size bronze sculptures(35 pieces)and tyre works can

be found in OYASAF, (a private art foundation, established by Prince

YemisiShyllon)collection,Freedom Park, Ikoyi, Lagos and Yemisi Shyllon Museum.

He has worn several awards which include: Plaque of Appreciation and Award of

Recognition, 2018 and 2019 respectively by Cornelius Adepegba Museum of

African Studies, University of Ibadan, Distinguished Master Artist (2015)by

Society of Nigerian Artists (SNA), faculty awardasVisual Experimentalist of the

Decade (2011), Faculty Awardsas Best Student in Life-Drawing and Sculpture in

1993/94 set, amongst others.