Ayoola Gbolahan is a Nigerian multidisciplinary artist born in 1977, in Ibadan, Nigeria. He attended the Obafemi Awolowo University in Ife, Nigeria, graduating with a Bachelor’s in Fine/Applied Arts in 2002. His work draws inspiration from human behavior and human anthropology channeled through the prism of his art as his interpretation of the world. In 2006, he had his breakthrough exhibition titled ‘Donald Ayoola I’, which introduced him as a fast rising artist in Lagos’ emerging hip art scene, and In 2007, he was recognised by the Embassy of Greece to Nigeria for his works portraying a persona of cultural diplomacy and displaying a unique heritage.
His work has continued to gain national and international acclaim and is in the private collections of many renowned collectors. He has had several solo exhibitions throughout his career tracing the trajectory of his work as well as group exhibitions with major art galleries and foundations including the African Artists Foundation (AAF) in Lagos, the Galerie 23 in Amsterdam, Rele gallery Lagos, Kanbi Contemporary London and the Arc Gallery London.
He exhibited as part of the group touring show titled “The Last Picture Show” hosted in Paris, Lagos and Douala by Le Groupe CFAO. More recently, his work was featured on ‘When they see us’, a Netflix production. He has worked with Coca-Cola and is currently the brand ambassador for Glenfiddich in Nigeria collaborating on designing a commemorative package for the premium twenty-six year brew.
Through his extensive practice of over twenty years, the artist continues to question cultural identity and placement. The ability to “visually express culture” through his art speaks extensively to his ancestry.