Samuel Opeyemi

Samuel Opeyemi (born 2004)is a contemporary visual artist born in Lagos, Nigeria. He earned a degree in Fine and Applied Arts from Obafemi Awolowo University, lle-Ife (AFUED). His artistic piece is centered on oil as a primary medium, and acrylic through which he explores different documentations of personal
memories, experiences, cultural, and historical themes.
Samuel's work is distinguished by the manipulation of the canvas into a visual diary where personal experiences, observations and reflections are preserved with brush strokes and writings .
Inspired by everyday experiences,
African, and the Yoruba culture and history, his practice invites viewers into the beauty, depth of the African and the Yoruba culture, Identity, language, and history He contributes to the growing recognition of the diversity and beauty of the African and the Yoruba culture and history within the Nigerian and the global contemporary art landscape.

Artist Statement

My practice is rooted in painting, personal memory, and the documentation of cultural identity. Growing up ,things were mostly of  European influence,my upbringing,my teachings in school ,dressing,the language even at home.

I grew up with an upbringing that lowered my native Yoruba language as “Vernacular” ,and I often get penalized for speaking Yoruba language in school and even at home.

I dream of a world where native languages can be seen as important as the English language or any other Foreign language.

I aim at drawing people into the depth and beauty of not just the culture or traditions of the Yoruna people,but also the Yoruba language through my Art .

The brushes, the strokes, a universal language, the pen,and the writings, my own indigenous language.