Opeyemi Olukotun Nigeria, b. 1989

Overview
Opeyemi Olukotun
Opeyemi Matthew Olukotun is a visual artist whose practice centres on expressive figurative painting. He graduated in Fine and Applied Arts from the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, in 2012. After completing his studies, he worked as an art teacher in a secondary school before, in 2016, dedicating himself fully to his artistic career.
 
His work is grounded in a continual exploration of the human body — its form, posture, emotional language, and the narratives that surface even in the subtlest gesture. Olukotun is particularly drawn to the anatomy of expression: the tilt of a head, the weight of a gaze, and the nuances of the face and hands. These elements allow him to communicate states of mind and the complexity of human experience.
 
The use of harmonious colour palettes, impressionistic brushstrokes, and visible sketch-like lines contributes to a dynamic sense of movement and vitality. These lines suggest motion and create a connection between the figure and its surroundings, reminding us that identity is  constantly evolving. Such visual strategies establish a fluid relationship between the figures and the contexts they inhabit, portraying them as reflective, complex individuals with rich interior worlds.
 
Olukotun depicts his subjects as reflective and multifaceted agents — individuals who carry entire worlds within their expressions. Through his practice, he seeks to honour the interiority of the people he paints, offering the viewer not only a representation of the human form but an invitation to consider the depth, vulnerability, and resilience that each person holds.
Works