The artist

Born in Nigeria, Toluwani grew up in Ogun State and studied Fine and Applied Arts at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, graduating in 2017. His paintings draw on Adire (Yoruba), Adinkra (Ghanaian) and Nsibidi (Ejagham) motifs, alongside other African symbols and patterns.

Awodiya Toluwani’s works carries the very essence of African culture, history, beliefs, and values. His very desire and passion to show the world the beauty in Africa is driven by the strong expression in the African heritage, taking into consideration the strength and richness of the black culture.

Awodiya’s high relief textures in his works are an imitation of SCARS. As Africans, we have two major sources of scars. One is from a place of pain, while the other is from a place of culture, beliefs, and faith, popularly called tribal marks. The physical and emotional scars are gotten from the physical whips and lashes of masters and wounds sustained in hard labour during slavery. Some still bear these scars (both emotional and physical) to this day. Tribal marks are scars that were intentionally given to Africans for several reasons. Some were for identification (during local wars in case of displacement or enslavement), intimidation during wars, spiritual reasons, a form of aesthetic, rites of passage, and so on. His works share his acknowledgement of African scars and story, not with ignorance but with acknowledgement of his African roots.