Interview
Ayobami Adelaye
Ayobami Adelaye is a multidisciplinary artist working across painting, mixed media, and sculpture. His work explores ideas of identity, memory, and what it means to adapt and rebuild. Much of his inspiration comes from personal experience, drawing on moments of movement, change, and reflection. Originally from Lagos, Nigeria, Adelaye began painting as a form of curiosity and escape, experimenting late at night with whatever materials he could find. After relocating to the United Kingdom, his practice grew into a deeper exploration of emotion and resilience. He often uses texture, colour, and layered forms to capture both chaos and calm—turning personal stories into shared reflections. Over the years, Adelaye has developed a distinct style that feels raw and expressive, yet thoughtful. His series The Last Performer, Dark Sauce with a Lot of Pain, Overexposure, and I Must Be Dreaming explore transformation, vulnerability, and the human urge to find meaning in change. Now based in the UK, Ayobami continues to create work that connects everyday experiences to broader conversations about identity, survival, and the beauty that emerges from struggle.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“I’ve always been creative. My elder sister introduced me to drawing when I was a child — she would sketch my favourite cartoon characters like Voltron, He-Man, and Transformers, and I’d try to copy her. Growing up in Lagos, art quickly became my quiet form of escape. I started painting out of curiosity, experimenting late at night with whatever materials I could find. Over time, it became a way to process emotions and tell stories about the people and the beautiful chaos around me. I officially began my journey through digital art, creating designs for T-shirts and posters. But after a while, it didn’t feel real enough. I craved something I could touch — the texture, the smell of paint, the physical connection with colour and process. That’s when I shifted fully into painting. Moving to the UK changed my perspective even more. My work became introspective, exploring identity, migration, and belonging. My background in advertising and marketing still influences how I think visually, but art gives me the freedom to express what words often can’t. Each piece feels like a conversation between where I’m from and where I am now.”
What inspires you?
“I’m inspired by people—their emotions, struggles, and the quiet moments that often go unnoticed. Everyday life has a kind of poetry to it, especially when you slow down enough to see it. I draw a lot from personal experiences, memory, and culture, particularly the contrasts between Lagos and the UK. I’m also fascinated by transformation—how pain, displacement, or uncertainty can lead to growth. That theme runs through much of my work. Music, conversations, and even silence can trigger ideas for me. Inspiration isn’t something I chase anymore; it’s more like a constant dialogue with the world around me.”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“My work often explores identity, transformation, and the quiet conversations we have within ourselves. I’m fascinated by how people rebuild through chaos emotionally. There’s always an inner dialogue happening in my pieces, where vulnerability meets satire. Sometimes I use humour or irony as a way to process deeper feelings of pain, displacement, or uncertainty—without making them feel too heavy. The titles of my works often act as a distraction or deflection, adding another layer to how the viewer engages. They can mislead, soften, or provoke—depending on how closely you look. At its core, my art is about resilience and self-discovery, but I like to leave space for viewers to find their own meaning in the tension between what’s said and what’s hidden.”
How would you describe your work?
“I’d describe my work as expressive, layered, and deeply human. It often sits between abstraction and figuration—a space where emotion and instinct take the lead. I use texture, fragmentation, and bold contrasts to mirror how memory and identity can feel broken yet still whole. There’s also a subtle thread of satire in my work—not to mock, but to reveal. Every piece begins as an emotional impulse, but it evolves into a visual conversation about resilience, vulnerability, and the beauty in imperfection.”
Which artists influence you most?
“I’m influenced by artists who embrace distortion, emotion, and storytelling in different ways. George Condo and Francis Bacon, for instance, taught me how chaos can still carry elegance and how the human form can be fractured yet deeply expressive. Willem de Kooning’s energy and movement also resonate with me; his work feels alive in a way that’s almost musical. On a cultural level, I’m inspired by artists like Tesfaye Urgessa, Njideka Akunyili Crosby, and Tunde Odunlade. They remind me of the power of roots, texture, and narrative—how art can carry memory and identity across borders. Collectively, these artists influence how I balance satire, emotion, and storytelling within my own visual language.”
“My work often explores identity, transformation, and the quiet conversations we have within ourselves.”
What is your creative process like?
“My process usually starts with a feeling rather than a plan. I sketch or write down fragments of thoughts—words, phrases, or visuals that stay with me—then build from there. I let intuition lead. Sometimes I begin with color, sometimes with a figure or gesture that feels unresolved. There’s a lot of layering, erasing, and reworking. It's almost like arguing with myself on canvas. I enjoy that tension; it mirrors the inner conversations that shape most of my themes. Music often sets the rhythm, and I allow accidents to happen because they carry honesty. Each piece evolves organically until it feels balanced between chaos and calm—that’s usually when I know it’s done. The less planning I do, the better I feel about my work.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“I believe artists exist to beautify both space and the mind. Beyond creating visuals, we serve as observers and commentators. Artists reflect the collective mood of society, intentionally or not. Art has always been a mirror, but it’s also medicine; it challenges, heals, and reminds people of their shared humanity. As the world continues to change, I see the artist’s role expanding beyond provoking thought to nurturing well-being, inspiring empathy, and keeping history alive through honest expression.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“Yes, I’ve been fortunate to show my work in several exhibitions that have shaped my journey. Recently, I exhibited at Chatham House during Black History Month—a show that explored migration, culture, and identity through contemporary African perspectives. I’ve also shown at Candid Arts Trust in London and Clover Gallery in the UK.”
Website: www.aadelaye.com
Instagram: @a.adelaye
