Essence in bloom

John Ayobamidele

0 Followers

John Ayobamidele is a contemporary visual artist based in Lagos, Nigeria. His practice explores identity, human experience, emotion, relationships, and the unseen dimensions of the soul. Drawing from personal experiences and observations of society, he uses art as a language through which he reflects on life, struggle, resilience, and transformation.

Born and raised in Lagos, Ayobamidele developed his artistic sensitivity from an early age. He was mentored by art philosopher Olayinka Oyebola between 2007 and 2012 and later studied Fine Art at Yaba College of Technology, Lagos.

His exhibition history includes a debut solo exhibition at J.P. Clark Gallery, University of Lagos, in 2016, exhibitions in Nigeria, and his first international exhibition with Vaine Magazine in the United Kingdom in 2022. In previous years,he is represented by the Constance and sons gallery, afrikanizm art gallery, OliveTreeGallery.

He was among the Five Cowries Educational initiative lead by Mrs Polly
Alakija as a volunteers in partnership with the United Nation Development Program on an educational project/mural project titled incubation, innovation, protection and evolution in year
2024..

In 2025, John Ayobamidele as a collection with TAAG Gallery.

Artist Statement

My practice therefore explores the relationship between presence and absence, body and soul, memory and reality, love and loss. I am interested in what remains after physical presence disappears the emotional traces people leave within us and the invisible connections that continue to shape who we become.

Through my paintings, I attempt to create a space where the absent can become present again not as a literal reconstruction of the person, but as an emotional and spiritual presence. My works are invitations for viewers to look beyond the physical form and encounter the unseen.

I believe that the body may disappear, but the soul continues through memory, influence, love, and the lives it has touched.

My art is my attempt to make that invisible presence visible.

This is the foundation of my practice: the soul beyond human presence.