Serenity, 2022

Desmond Akindoju  

Desmond Akindoju hails from Ondo city, Nigeria. He is a contemporary Nigerian visual Artist, a stylized surreal painter, and an art historian that specializes in painting and art history. His paintings are done in a stylized way with a characteristic leafy background on which he places his subjects and even dominates their skins.

He believes "art has a capable way of addressing problems affecting humanity, reminding us of the natural things God has endowed us on earth". Desmond explained that "The subject matter of my works is alluring, stunning, and vibrant. I also endeavor to convey them in both African and Western reality which addresses their perception of how they should live, dress or behave"

According to him, he calls this style "LEAFISM", meaning art created to have different leaflike effects and leaf patterns, and this creativity is influenced by his belief that as a full-time studio artist, his environment should be the first thing to influence his art practice even before other things outside will. With a vast experience in the art industry and his use of his favorite medium, acrylic pigments on primed cotton, he has participated in different exhibitions.

His works are done to capture the beauty of nature, providing solutions to problems affecting humanity physically, mentally, emotionally, socially, and spiritually. Desmond's works also serve as an enchantment of love, beauty, peace, euphoria, romantic emotions, and connection-building with the viewers.