Yewande Ambeke

Yewande Ambeke (b. 1994) is a self-taught visual artist living in Lagos, Nigeria. She holds a Bachelor of Pharmacy and a master’s degree in clinical pharmacy from the University of Lagos. This formal education has shaped her artistic perspective, particularly in her exploration of human well-being and mental states, viewing art as a form of therapy.

Ambeke became a full-time studio artist in 2020 and has participated in several residencies including Nomad Artist's 3x3x3 residency, (2020) and Rele's Young Contemporaries Bootcamp, (2021). She is also a winner of Tech4Dev's I Am a Woman Techster competition, and a finalist for the Kuenyehia Prize for Contemporary Art, (2022). In 2023, Ambeke became a Fellow for the Global Arts in Medicine Fellowship.

Her style features swirly figures that straddle abstraction and figuration, using earth-inspired colour palettes to depict personal experiences and themes of human connection, vulnerability, and emotional well-being. She employs colours that evoke passion, tenderness, and connection, using interconnected figures to embrace vulnerability as strength.

Yewande’s works have been featured in several exhibitions including ‘Reflections’, MadHouse by Tikera, Lagos, (2024), ‘Plus234Art Fair’, Soto Gallery, Lagos, (2024), ‘Life, As We Know It’, Red Earth Projects Foundation, (2023), ‘At Once, Then Again: Selections From Practice’, Rele Gallery, Lagos, (2023), ‘No Wahala’ Loud Youth Projects, (2023), and ‘Life Lines’, Fresco Gallery, (2023).

ARTIST STATEMENT

Inspired by my experience as a newlywed, I aim to capture the essence of human connection at its simplest, where two individuals merge their lives, creating a shared existence filled with love, trust, and mutual support.

In my pieces, I delve into the tapestry of togetherness. The figures, in physical contact, feature vibrant hues of red to convey the passion igniting their union, while soft shades of pink reflect the tenderness that nurtures it. Grounding tones of dark brown symbolize the stability that forms the bedrock of their partnership, offering a safe space for growth.

A delicate dance of mutual reliance, rest, and empathy strengthens our bonds. In these paintings, connections flourish in sanctuaries away from the world's chaos, where lovers find solace and rejuvenation in each other's presence amid peaceful natural scenery.

Through my art, I invite viewers to reflect on the beauty and complexity of relationships. While not limited to marriage, I celebrate the profound elements that define our cherished partnerships.