Oyelade Oyewole

Oyelade Oyewole Tayo (b. 2002, Nigeria) is a contemporary visual artist whose work explores
identity as a layered and evolving construct. Working primarily in painting, he is known for his
distinctive use of intricate line formations that render his subjects as woven, textile-like forms
transforming the human face into a site of structure, memory, and cultural expression.
He holds a National Diploma in Fine Art from Adeseun Ogundoyin Polytechnic and Higher
National Diploma in Painting at the prestigious Yaba College of T echnology, Lagos. His artistic
development was shaped early through an apprenticeship under Adesope Godwin (2014– 2019),
where he built a strong foundation in technical and conceptual practice.
Oyelade’s work engages deeply with themes of African identity, with particular emphasis on hair
and head coverings as cultural and symbolic markers. His portraits exist at the intersection of
figuration and abstraction, offering a visual language that suggests identity is not fixed, but
continuously constructed through experience and time.
He cites influences from both contemporary and historical artists who explore identity, materiality,
and African heritage. These include El Anatsui, for his transformative use of woven mat...

Education

- Higher National Diploma (HND) in Painting Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, Nigeria (ongoing) 2024 - 2026

- National Diploma (ND) in Fine Art Adeseun Ogundoyin. 2019- 2022

- Apprenticeship under Mr. Adesope Godwin, Eruwa, Oyo State, Nigeria 2014 - 2019

Exhibitions

-2025 Boundaries and bridges, Iriri art gallery, Federal Palace hotel, VI Lagos.

-2025 One Africa: Contemporary Urban Perspective, Eno gallery, Ikoyi Lagos.

-  2025 Risikat Educational Scholarship auction at the Honfleur gallery, Washington DC.

- 2023 “FIX IT” IMT, Enugu, Nigeria 

- 2022 "MUTED ECHOES" IMT, Enugu, Nigeria.

- 2021 - 2022 "Femme champion", Art impact international.

- 2021 "Lagos to London", Ikoyi Lagos.

- 2020 "breathing while black", Augusta Savage gallery.

- 2019 "The other side", Alliance franchise ibadan.