Sola Olulode British-Nigerian, b. 1996
A sense of achievement, 2024
Dye, batik, pastel, ink, charcoal and pigment on canvas
182.8 x 122 cm
72 x 48 in
72 x 48 in
Courtesy of the Artist and Lawrie Shabibi
In this series, the artist channels her travel experiences and deep affinity for water into vivid, dreamlike paintings that celebrate femininity, nature, and the transcendent power of water. Drawing from...
In this series, the artist channels her travel experiences and deep affinity for water into vivid, dreamlike paintings that celebrate femininity, nature, and the transcendent power of water. Drawing from personal photographs taken during trips to the Caribbean, Mallorca, and Brescia, she portrays scenes of herself, lovers, and friends frolicking in the ocean, where rich cobalt blues merge with the vibrant hues of a sunset, creating a realm where myth and memory collide.
Influenced by ancient mythologies—especially the Yoruba water deity Yemayá and the timeless allure of sirens—the artist reimagines these figures as modern embodiments of liberation. Her work, enriched by Nigerian textile traditions and techniques learned in Lagos, employs mediums like wax, batik, oil bar, and impasto to capture the fluid movement of water and the fleeting magic of a sunset. Ultimately, her paintings explore themes of renewal, femininity, and ancestral ties, underscoring the ocean’s enduring role as both a literal and symbolic source of life.
Influenced by ancient mythologies—especially the Yoruba water deity Yemayá and the timeless allure of sirens—the artist reimagines these figures as modern embodiments of liberation. Her work, enriched by Nigerian textile traditions and techniques learned in Lagos, employs mediums like wax, batik, oil bar, and impasto to capture the fluid movement of water and the fleeting magic of a sunset. Ultimately, her paintings explore themes of renewal, femininity, and ancestral ties, underscoring the ocean’s enduring role as both a literal and symbolic source of life.