Sola Olulode British-Nigerian, b. 1996
Sola Olulode’s paintings are nuanced and tender visions of intimacy and community; her wistful images celebrations of Black identity, womxnhood and non-binary people. Distinguished by their use of gestural brushwork, indigo dye, wax, oil bar, impasto and monochromatic schemes (typically in blue, green or yellow) they speak strongly of her Nigerian heritage. Allowing the body to take centre stage, she creates utopian scenes which give prominence to movement, gesture, and romanticised acts. Reflecting her own community and experiences, her works expose a unique tenderness and a fluid ability of bringing to life representation and visibility of Black Queer lived experiences.
Sola Olulode is a British Nigerian artist living and working in South London. She received a BA in Fine Art Painting from the University of Brighton in 2018. Upon graduation she took part in the notable graduate show BBZ BLK BK: Alternative Graduate Show. 2018. She then went on to receive a graduate studio residency at Lewisham Art House for a year in London. Since then she has exhibited in numerous international group solo exhibitions. Recent exhibitions include solos: Islands of the Blessed at Berntson Bhattacharjee Gallery, London, 2024; Burning Like the Star That Showed Us to Our Love at Ed Cross, London, 2023 and Could You Be Love, Sapar Contemporary, New York, 2022. Selected group shows include Conversations, Walker Art Gallery, Liverpoo,l 2024, Keeping Time, Gallery 1957, Accra, 2024; Dreaming of Home at Leslie Lohman Museum, New York, 2023; To Be Held at Carl Freedman Gallery, Margate, 2023; Womxn Of Colour Art Award 2020-2021 Finalists Exhibition: Altitude 198 Contemporary Arts, London, 2021; Victoria Miro x Out Collective, Vortic, 2021, An Infinity of Traces at Lisson Gallery, London, 2021; In Heavenly Blue at Wunika Mukan, Lagos and Run With The Wolves at Lawrie Shabibi, Dubai also 202. She has been featured in ID Magazine, Art Review and Readers Digest. She currently features on the Hayward Gallery Billboard till April 2025.
