Janet Adebayo

Janet Adenike Adebayo (b. 1997) is a self-taught Nigerian artist, born in Lagos and based in Lagos as an artist. She began her journey as a painter in 2017. She refers to herself as a “confessional” artist, as her art is an expression of intimate moments and openness of truths and feelings others may be otherwise shy to confront. Adebayo expresses herself using acrylic and mixed media on canvas, employing techniques such as her signature “mosaic skin” tones, fusing a collage of colors to create humanoid figures, made obvious by exaggerated features.

Janet Adebayo’s work is an extension of herself, paving the way for personal development. Her work is largely inspired by traumatic events, her everyday life, and the dynamic nature of family ties. She paints her reality, sometimes the counterparts of negative emotions and experiences in others to create fantasies that evoke a sense of belonging and momentary escape. Her current works showcase her perspective on subject matters such as family as a unit, pain, and bereavement, the idea of masculinity, self-awareness, and appraisal.