Dimeji Onafuwa

I use Yoruba principles of art in my work. Some are Ona (the embellishment of form), Ara (creativity), Ere (improvisation), pipe (completeness) and tutu (coolness). I draw inspiration from the work of the 1960s Bay Area figurative expressionists (Diebenkorn, Oliveira, Brown, Wonner, Bischoff, Park etc) as well as Henri Matisse and Mark Rothko.

BA in Art - Concord University (2000)
BA in Design - Concord University (2000)
MBA in Management - University of North Carolina, Charlotte (2007)
PHD in Design - Carnegie Mellon University (2018)

Group/Dual (recent)
September 2021: Identity - with Kenny Nguyen, at Sozo Gallery Charlotte NC

August 2021: Visual Vanguard - Select African American Artists at Harvey B. Gantt Center, Charlotte NC

December 2020: the Brooklyn Collective, Charlotte NC

Past group shows:
Nov 2015: Christine Frechard Gallery, PA
Oct 2010: Synthesis - Salem College, Winston-Salem NC
Oct 2007: Color Riot, Picture Perfect Gallery, Charlotte NC

Solo Shows
Aug-Oct 2024: Common Boundaries, Athens WV
Oct 2009: Ila, RedSky Galley (voted best gallery in Charlotte NC)
Oct 2008: Oju Ona, 5ive and 40rty Gallery Winston-Salem NC
Apr 2008: Arthouse Coalition Gallery Charlotte, NC
May 2000: Oju Ona, Arthur Butcher Gallery, WV
Dec 2003: DIMEJI, Latorres, Charlotte NC

Juried
1999 Juried Art Show – Arthur Butcher Gallery, WV
1997 Hackensack Art Show, Juried Show, NJ

Blogs/Publications
African Aesthetics – Aigacharlotte.org
2009 Art show featured on Yahoo.com
2009 Creative Loafing Magazine interview and feature
2009 Charlotte Observer Feature
2009 Arts Pick by Charlotte Arts and Science Council
2009, 2008 Featured in Winston-Salem Journal