Afrikanizm | Samuel Kayode Toba – Nigerian Artist Weaving Folklore

"Samuel Toba’s practice is rooted in the exploration of self, culture, and memory. Using acrylic and newsprint, he creates textured, expressive surfaces where the Black figure becomes both symbol and storyteller.

Through vibrant colors and dynamic forms, he reflects on themes of heritage, perception, and spiritual presence. His use of traditional Nigerian motifs within contemporary structures invites a reimagining of African identity - not as static history, but as a living, evolving force.

Each piece offers a quiet invitation to feel, to reflect, and to remember."

MEET

Samuel Kayode Toba

Samuel Kayode Toba (b. 1990) is a Nigerian contemporary conceptual artist based in Oyo State. A graduate of The Polytechnic Ibadan, where he earned a Higher National Diploma in Painting in 2018, Toba has cultivated a distinct visual language that fuses traditional storytelling with modern experimentation.

Working primarily with acrylic and newsprint on richly textured canvas, his practice draws inspiration from Nigerian folklore, spiritual symbolism, and ancestral memory. Each piece becomes a layered narrative, unfolding themes of identity, community, and emotional transformation.

Toba’s bold brushwork, rhythmic compositions, and saturated color palettes serve as a visual echo of Yoruba oral traditions — merging the seen and unseen, the mythic and the personal. His integration of newspaper clippings adds further complexity, grounding his work in the tensions of contemporary Nigerian life.

Exhibited both locally and internationally, Samuel Kayode Toba's work resonates for its emotional intensity and symbolic depth, inviting viewers to engage with the interconnectedness of past and present, spirit and material.

FROM OUR BLOGUE

Getty Foundation Invests $2.6M in Unearthing Black Art History

The Getty Foundation has awarded $2.6 million to expand its Black Visual Arts Archives initiative, empowering 12 U.S. institutions—libraries, museums, and universities—to catalogue, digitise, and bring Black art histories into public view. This multi-year commitment spotlights previously overlooked collections, transforming archives into dynamic cultural touchpoints and promoting long-overdue visibility for Black artists and institutions.

“Dear Black People… A Love Letter”: Diasporic Time-travel in Atlanta

Now open at ZuCot Gallery, Dear Black People… A Love Letter is a bold and poetic journey through the Black American experience. With over 95% of works by artists of African descent, the show reframes visual storytelling as time travel — blending memory, identity and joy.
From glowing watermelons to shimmering histories, this exhibition pulses with creativity, community and cultural pride.

How Black Art Defined the Essence Festival’s Identity

How Black Art Defined the Essence Festival’s Identity

Discover how Black art has shaped the Essence Festival’s visual history—turning every poster into a living archive since 1995.

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.

View All