Adeola Olagunju
Reimagining Resilience through Photography
Adeola Olagunju, a dynamic force in the Nigerian art scene, resides and creates in Lagos. A 2009 graduate of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology with a degree in Fine and Applied Arts, Olagunju has since made significant strides in her career. Her remarkable talent has been recognized with prestigious awards, including the Lagos Photo Festival Award Prize in 2012 and the Young ArtFund Amsterdam Award in 2013.
Olagunju's artistry is deeply rooted in a conscious awareness of art, time, and contemporary trends, driving her to become a critical, creative, and passionate artist. Her work, particularly performance-based, serves as a medium through which she challenges stereotypes and critiques socio-political and religious decay within African societies. At the core of her practice is a profound engagement with the ideas presented in her series "RESURGENCE: A MANIFESTO."
In "RESURGENCE: A MANIFESTO," Olagunju confronts the viewer with imagery that speaks to the unacceptability of the current state of socio-religious and political decay in Africa. Through her photographic performances, she articulates a bold critique of these issues, portraying the urgent need for a collective awakening from the mental shackles that bind society. Olagunju's work is characterized by its directness and commitment to sparking change, reflecting on the challenges of identity and the threats it faces in contemporary society.
"We find ourselves in a world that takes its cue from negative and dark ideas, which can spread like a virus, ultimately becoming a stronghold for oppression and slavery." Through this lens, Olagunju's series is not just a critique but a manifesto calling for resurgence—a plea for awareness and a reclamation of identity amidst pervasive challenges.
Olagunju's photography transcends mere visual representation, delving into the realms of hope and resistance. Her attention to form and signs of possible resistance underscores a vision of hope, encouraging viewers to contemplate and engage with the possibilities of resurgence and renewal.
Adeola Olagunju's contributions to contemporary photography offer a powerful commentary on the state of society, urging a reevaluation of our sense of identity and the forces that shape it. Through her work, she not only documents the present but also imagines a future where resilience and awareness pave the way for transformation.
