Afrikanizm | Oluwatobi Adewumi – Nigerian Artist Reflecting Memory

"Each of Oluwatobi Adewumi’s works is a story - a reclamation of voice, memory, and presence. Rooted in his own journey as a Nigerian immigrant, his art becomes a bridge between past and present, confronting the silences and distortions that have shaped Black identity across history.

Influenced by ancestral storytelling and early media experiences, Adewumi creates portraits that speak of resilience, dignity, and belonging. Using charcoal and acrylic, he blurs the lines between realism and abstraction, crafting layered images that carry both pain and hope.

The figures in his work are more than subjects - they are witnesses, survivors, and symbols of strength. Through them, he reimagines history not as fixed, but as something to be rewritten - tenderly, powerfully, and truthfully."

MEET

Oluwatobi Adewumi

Oluwatobi Adewumi (b. Nigeria) is a contemporary visual artist based in Arkansas, USA, whose evocative portraits explore the emotional terrain of migration, memory, and identity. Through a distinctive blend of charcoal and acrylic, his layered compositions capture the tension between realism and abstraction, allowing personal and collective narratives to coexist.

Raised in Nigeria and now part of the African diaspora, Adewumi’s practice is shaped by the experience of relocation and cultural transformation. His subjects—often solitary and introspective—are rendered with intimate detail and raw texture, symbolizing the resilience and complexity of those who carry their heritage across borders.

His surfaces unfold like memory itself: fragmented, layered, and emotionally charged. Each piece becomes a poetic meditation on belonging, offering a space for reflection on what it means to leave, to arrive, and to remain rooted in one’s cultural identity despite shifting geographies.

Adewumi’s work resonates both as personal testimony and universal inquiry, inviting viewers to connect with the silent yet powerful stories embedded in the faces he paints. With increasing recognition across exhibitions in the U.S. and internationally, he stands at the forefront of a generation using figurative art to navigate displacement, tradition, and transformation.

FROM OUR BLOGUE

Guardians of Culture: Alicia Keys & Swizz Beatz Champion African and Diasporic Art

Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz have built a world-class collection focused on African and Black diasporic artists, supporting both established and emerging creators. Through exhibitions, acquisitions, philanthropy, and cultural dialogue, they elevate representation, empower artists, and enrich global appreciation of African artistic heritage.

Rooted in Africa: Ciara, Ludacris & Idris Elba Reclaim Their Heritage

Ciara, Ludacris, and Idris Elba are among a growing wave of global artists reconnecting with their African roots. Through official citizenships and cultural investments, they are not only reclaiming identity but also reshaping narratives, strengthening ties between the diaspora and the continent, and amplifying the cultural value of belonging.

Zara Welcomes Ghanaian Artist Otis Kwame Kye Quaicoe in Stunning Accra‑Inspired Capsule

Zara has announced a groundbreaking capsule collaboration with Ghanaian painter Otis Kwame Kye Quaicoe. Featuring 16 curated looks—from vibrant embroidered trousers to statement T‑shirts and accessories—the collection channels Quaicoe’s signature palette and reflects the energy, history and spirit of Accra. This partnership not only broadens visibility for African artists but underscores the growing influence of contemporary African art in global fashion and culture.

The Vanguard: 10 Visionary African Artists Changing the Art World

From Afrofuturistic photography to socio-political painting, contemporary African artists are redefining the global art scene. This list features ten artists whose work is vital, visionary, and deeply rooted in cultural identity, memory, and innovation.

Paula Nascimento Named Co‑Curator of Sharjah Biennial 17 (2027 Edition)

Paula Nascimento, an architect and independent curator based in Luanda, has been announced as co-curator of Sharjah Biennial 17 (January 2027), working in tandem with Berlin-based professor Angela Harutyunyan. Their collaboration promises an experimental, critically engaged biennial grounded in shared histories and global reflections.

Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) Poised to Transform Nigeria’s Cultural Landscape

The Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) in Benin City opens in November 2025 as a major cultural hub. The first stage features the new research-focused MOWAA Institute, alongside its inaugural exhibition Nigeria Imaginary: Homecoming. Designed by Adjaye Associates, the campus includes galleries, labs, performance spaces, and houses newly repatriated Benin Bronzes and contemporary artworks by Nigerian creators.

The Baobab and the Bronze: Rómulo Santa Rita’s Artistic Tribute to Cosal

For the third year in a row, Rómulo Santa Rita was chosen to design Grupo Cosal’s annual cover—this time crafting “Embondeiro,” a bronze sculpture inspired by a poem by Manuel Rui Monteiro. Featuring topographic reliefs of Kamacupa, the piece symbolises rootedness, artistic collaboration, and the deep connection between land, memory, and identity.

Sarasota Art Museum Spotlights Contemporary Black Artists in Celebrated Exhibitions

The Sarasota Art Museum’s ongoing 2025 exhibitions celebrate contemporary Black creativity with immersive works and a touring showcase featuring prints, quilts, sculptures, and installations by major names such as Martin Puryear, Kerry James Marshall, Gee’s Bend Quilters, and Lillian Blades. Through these transformative exhibitions, SAM continues to support artists illuminating stories of heritage, identity, and reflection.

View All