Nigeria
Ayobola Kekere-Ekun (b. 1993, Lagos) is a Nigerian artist working in South Africa. Her practice brings together her interests in advertising, popular culture, gender, portraiture and Nigerian politics. Using a method of paper craft called quilling, she creates seemingly benign images that evoke the frivolities of selfie culture, while referencing gender, mythology, memory, and trauma.
Kekere-Ekun’s work has been exhibited in multiple group shows in Lagos, Los Angeles, Johannesburg, London and beyond. Her first solo exhibition (2019) at Rele, Lagos was supported by a grant awarded by the Dean Collection, a collection created by celebrities Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz. Her first Johannesburg solo took place at Guns & Rain in 2020, and in 2021 she was the recipient of the ABSA l’Atelier Award.
She holds a BA (Hons) in Visual Arts and an MA in Graphic Design from University of Lagos. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Art and Design at the University of Johannesburg, examining advertising campaigns, place-branding and visual codes deployed by the Lagos state government. Kekere-Ekun has recently been awarded her PhD in Art and Design from the University of Johannesburg.
Watch this video to meet Ayobola in studio.
High Stakes. Suit 2. No 3
High Stakes. Suit 4. No 2
Ajah Confessional V
2024 Mixed Media (Paper and Acrylic on Canvas) 60 x 60 cm
The Crown XII
2019 Mixed Media (Paper, fabric, faux pearls and Acrylic on Canvas) 122 x 91 cm
The Crown VII
The Crown IX
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