Adegboyega Adesina’s portraiture looks inwardly, his intimate depictions of Black subjects incorporate rich colour schemes and capture the essence of his figures’ selfhoods. Adesina’s practice draws on his Nigerian background, examining it through a multi-layered and deeply personal lens. His paintings are a window into the nature of his country, from Nigeria’s cultures, to its traditions, to its political landscape. Adesina fosters dialogue between subject and viewer, conveying his subject’s message beyond the canvas. Adesina’s practice encompasses an unwavering pride and love for Nigeria and his community. He projects himself into the image, his emotions and personal history are embedded within the paint strokes. Painting is a process through which he can examine and process his experiences, and his emotional response to events that have affected him. He allows his imagination and his reality to intertwine with each other through his imagery. ...
