Gbolahan Olanipekun, a U.K.-based visual artist, who operates under the name OLAart Gallery, sees his art as a form of storytelling—one that bridges the personal and the universal. His work, deeply rooted in his Yoruba heritage, explores themes of resilience, identity, and empowerment, but it does so with a subtlety that invites viewers to lean in closer.
“Art has the power to capture truths and convey them in ways that words sometimes can’t,” he says. For OlaArt Gallery, the act of creation is not just about self-expression; it’s about building bridges, one story at a time.
One of his more striking pieces, Oju Aye (Eye of the World), delves into the Yoruba concept of societal envy and the scrutiny that often accompanies success. The artwork depicts a figure surrounded by swirling, shadowy forces—representations of gossip, jealousy, and even spiritual sabotage. “Success attracts both admiration and malice,” OlaArt Gallery explained.
“This duality is universal, but in Yoruba culture, it’s something we’ve long been aware of and have a name for.” The piece is both a warning and a celebration, acknowledging the challenges of ambition while affirming its worth.
In another work, Undiluted Love, Olanipekun explores the complexities of traditional relationships, particularly within the context of Yoruba culture. The piece portrays a kind of romantic idealism, but it also hints at the constraints that often accompanied such unions, especially for women.
While modern relationships have evolved to allow greater freedom and self-expression, OlaArt Gallery’s work gently critiques the nostalgia that sometimes clouds our view of the past. It’s a reminder that progress, however messy, often comes with its own kind of beauty.
Then there’s The Optimist, a quieter, more introspective work that features a lone fisherman rowing toward an uncertain horizon. The image is tinged with loneliness, but also with hope. Olanipekun describes it as a reflection of his own outlook: “Even in the face of the unknown, there’s power in moving forward.”
The piece feels like a metaphor for the artist’s journey, as well as a broader commentary on the human condition.
In one of his recent pieces, Fierce Woman, a young woman with Yoruba tribal marks gazes out from the canvas, her expression a mix of apathy and defiance. The piece draws on the Yoruba concept of moju, a rhythmic eye movement used to express scorn or mockery.
It’s a quiet but potent act of resistance, a refusal to conform to expectations of docility or passivity. The woman’s stare is unflinching, as if daring the viewer to look away first.
OlaArt Gallery’s art is deeply personal, yet it resonates on a global scale. He sees his role as akin to that of a journalist, documenting stories that might otherwise go untold.
His work often feels like a conversation—between past and present, tradition and modernity, the individual and the collective. And while his pieces are undeniably rooted in African culture, they speak to themes that transcend borders: resilience, pride, and the enduring search for identity.
Looking ahead, OlaArt Gallery has his sights set on expanding his reach, bringing his work to audiences around the world.
He’s particularly interested in exploring how themes of cultural pride and resilience can foster connection across different communities. “Art reminds us of our shared humanity,” he says.
“It’s a way to celebrate what makes us unique while finding common ground.” Through his art, OlaArt Gallery continues to weave narratives that are as much about the future as they are about the past, offering a vision of hope and connection in an increasingly fragmented world.
and then