Biography

 

Born in Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria, Olumide discovered his love of art at the young age of 8 years through his father and Uncle (Prof. Michael Olusegun Adejemilua) and his "Ona Art Movement" He was later influenced by his painting lecturer Prof. Tola Wewe and classmates Dr. Olumide Ayeni and Dr. Morris Olayiwola Oyalegan.

 

Olumide Egunlae is a painter and art educator based in Banjul, The Gambia, West Africa whose works celebrate and treasure his African traditions, backgrounds, values, and culture.

 

He focuses his paintings on the local eccentric and ordinary rites of his people and portrays what his ancestors have built for average African communities. He finds the beauties in them and translates them into his colorful and beautiful paintings.

 

After 20 years as a Visual Art Teacher, Olumide returned to his easel and brushes on a full-time basis.

 

He graduated with a Bachelor of Art and Education - Fine Art (B.A.Ed) in May 1991 from the Federal University of Education, Ondo, Nigeria.

 

He obtained his Masters in Divinity (M.Div) in 2012 and has just completed a Doctoral Degree in Expository Communication (D.ExCom) all on Scholarship from The Faith Seminary Tacoma, Washington, USA.

 

He is the CEO/FOUNDER of The Adonai Art Foundation. The Gambia (AFAG) a licensed Charitable Organization/NGO

 

He is a member of the Society of Gambian Artists and a member of the Rotary Club of Banjul

 

artist statement

 

My figurative art is based upon abstracted geometrical shapes and stylized African figures. My paintings are dialogues of my mind as viewed, perceived, or seen from things: nature, lifestyles of the people, and the worlds around me.

 

 When I captured the images in my conscious mind, I find a special way to analyze and engage those images carefully into my canvas.

Through this free-form approach to my paintings, I explore the use of balance, lines, shapes, colors, and heavy textures and give a lot of chances and freedom to experiment with my colors which results in real unconscious juxtapositions of colors and other elements in the whole work.

 

Prizes and Awards

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2015-  Presidential National Art Fair- First prize- Banjul, Gambia

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2007-  The best Visual Arts Teacher in The Gambia - First Prize- GTU Office, Gambia

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1992-  Borno State National Youth Service Corp - First Prize- Maiduguri, Nigeria

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1985- Shankar’s International Art Competitions - 2nd Position Silver Medal- Dhaka, India

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1984- Ekiti Central Local Government Art Competition - First Position- Ado - Ekiti, Nigeria

 

Solo Exhibition

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2015 “USA BIRTHDAY” JULY 4TH TO 14TH 2015 / USA Embassy - Kairaba Fajara, Gambia.

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2013 “WAKING THE SPIRIT” / Kanilai Clinic - Bakau, Gambia

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2012 “TAKING IT TO THE STREET” / Traffic Light - Kairaba Fajara, Gambia

 

Group exhibitions

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2019 “UNFPA/ICPD25 EXHIBITION AGAINST FGM” / CORAL BEACH HOTEL - BRUFUT, Gambia

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2018 “ALL FOR PEACE” / Saint Augustine's Hall - Banjul, Gambia

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2016 “GAMBIAN PRESIDENT EXHIBITION FOR 3 ARTIST ” / Gambian State House - Banjul, Gambia

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2012 “OPPORTUNITY” / Church Hall - West Field, Gambia

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2000 “ABOVE THE SKY” / Alliance Française - West Field Kairaba Avenue, Gambia