Olamilekan Abatan (Nigeria, 1997)

Born in Lagos State in 1997, Olamilekan Abatan is a Nigerian visual artist working with a powerful and contrasted combination of hyper realistic drawing techniques and popular local fabrics, to narratively represent and comment on global contemporary issues.

Abatan started drawing professionally after graduating from the Agidingbi Technical College (Ikeja, Lagos) in 2015. He later worked at the Rafhue Distinction Art Studio and at Sheyi Alabi Studio, before opening his own workshop in the centre of Lagos, where he works and lives.

His unique technique with charcoal on paper has allowed him to depict flesh-like realism while commenting on relevant social and political issues within the ongoing global conversation around Black Lives Matter, repatriation, gender inequality, and Pan African heritage.

The artist’s use of cut and collaged textiles stands out as a sublime counterpoint to his frontal subject matters, feeding the magnetic iconography of his work. While the long-delayed rise of Black Figuration further contextualises his creation so far, for Abatan, art is above all an existential tool to contribute as a young male in Nigerian society.

OLAMILEKAN ABATAN

1997

NIGERIA

Ronke Shonde

2020

Charcoal, Pastel, Acrylic and Wax Fabric on Paper

107 x 89 cm