Adeniyi Adewole

Adeniyi Adewole Wasiu (b. 1994) is a contemporary figurative sculptor from Ibadan, Nigeria. He holds both a diploma in General Arts (2018) and in Sculpture (2021) from the Yaba College of Technology.
Adeniyi’s decision to study sculpture stemmed from his desire to explore the contrast between perceived rigidity in traditional Yoruba sculptures and the realism of European Renaissance art. Inspired by traditional artists like Lamidi Fakeye, he aims to use his skills to tell indigenous stories free from external comparisons. He works with various materials, including fiberglass, wood, paper, fabric, and found objects.
He has participated in several group exhibitions in Nigeria and internationally, including "Young Contemporaries" at Rele Art Gallery (2023), "Art of Afrobeats" at the Artmiabo International Art Festival (2023), "In Search" at Galari, Lagos (2023), "Crossroads" by SMO Contemporary (2022), and the Rele Arts Foundation Young Contemporaries Residency exhibition (2022).

ARTIST STATEMENT 
I am inspired by the easy-going playfulness of the kids in my environment. Recurrent themes in my works include fragility, innocence, curiosity, mental health, and ephemeral beauty. 
In my sculpture “Purple Awakening,” we encounter the image of a young boy holding a purple cow in one hand, with balloons hidden behind his back. This piece reflects my exploration of the concept of “purple cows,” coined by marketing author Seth Godin, which emphasizes the importance of difference and uniqueness. In this piece, the cow symbolizes a philosophical inquiry into a child’s curiosity and otherness. The balloons symbolize the process of letting go of past selves, capturing both the literal and figurative fragility of this moment.