Wole Lagunju

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Wole Lagunju

Nigerian, born 1966

BiographyWole Lagunju is a contemporary Nigerian artist whose work explores the intersections of Yoruba cultural heritage, colonial history, and modern African identity. Born in Nigeria in 1966, Lagunju developed an early interest in art, which led him to pursue formal education in the field. He graduated with a degree in Fine Arts from the University of Ife
(now Obafemi Awolowo University) in 1986, where he specialized in graphic design and painting.

Lagunju's creative approach is deeply influenced by his Yoruba heritage, particularly the traditional practices and aesthetics of Yoruba masks and rituals. This cultural foundation is a recurring theme in his work, where he skillfully reinterprets traditional motifs through a
contemporary lens. His works blends depictions of traditional gelede masks with elements of Western iconography, creating a unique dialogue between African and Western cultural paradigms.

Lagunju’s work has been widely exhibited across Africa, Europe, and the United States, showcasing his dynamic and culturally rich art. Recent notable exhibitions include the Royal Academy Summer Show in London (2022), a solo exhibition titled "What Will You Do With Your Aje?" at Montague Contemporary in New York (2022), and another solo exhibition, "Cut From the Same Cloth," at Ed Cross Gallery in London (2022). Other significant exhibitions in his career include "Stop, Listen!" at CFHill in Stockholm (2021), the 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair in London (2020), "We All Live Here Yoruba Remixed," a solo exhibition at Ebony Curated Gallery in Cape Town (2018), "Wole Lagunju: African Diaspora Artist and Transnational Visuality" at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia (2014), and "Womanscape: Race, Gender and Sexuality in
African Art" at the University of Texas in Austin (2011).

Lagunju has received several prestigious awards, including the Phillip Ravenhill Fellowship from UCLA in 2006 and the Pollock-Krasner Foundation award in 2009. His works are part of various esteemed collections such as the Africa First Collection, the Denver Art Museum, the World Bank Art Program, Fondation Frances, the Great Banyan Art Collection, the Tseyi Hammond Collection, the Ashley Longshore Collection, Collection Leridon, Marres, the Mack Collection, Huis voor Hedendaagse Cultuur, and the Schulting Art Collection, among others.

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