“Avoiding ourselves, being able to confront who we are can be hard. So, it can therefore be easier to throw oneself into a cause – and I think this would also easier to also talk about as an artist. On the face of it, this is admirable but makes for an interesting exploration when it is done at the expense of truly avoiding who one truly is…and so my work is about us, it is about facing who we are”. - Adebayo Bolaji
Adébayo Bolaji is a London-based multi-disciplinary artist whose work explores themes of change and self-discovery within society. Through vibrant and metaphorical storytelling across painting, film, and sculpture, Bolaji challenges audiences to confront personal and collective truths, encouraging active engagement with his art. His international exhibitions span London, Zurich, Berlin, and New York, alongside notable residencies such as Yinka Shonibare MBE Guest Projects, where he created a 7-meter painting addressing the tragedy of the Nigerian schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko Haram. In 2023, his 3-meter permanent public sculpture was unveiled in Acton Gardens, London.
A published poet, theatre director, and actor, Bolaji has performed at Shakespeare’s Globe, The Young Vic, and the West End’s Piccadilly Theatre, with credits in BBC, Channel Four, and feature films. He is the founder of Ex Nihilo Theatre Group, holds degrees in law and theatre, and is a sought-after speaker at institutions like Mall Galleries London and Penn State University. Represented by Beers, London, Bolaji’s dynamic practice continues to inspire dialogue and reflection on the human condition.