Tayo Adenaike

Tayo Adenaike studied under Obiora Udechukwu at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka from 1974 to 1979 and was influenced by Ibrahim El Salahi, Andrew Wyeth and Vincent van Gogh. He works mainly in watercolor but also experimented with oil and acrylic. His style draws from uli wall painting, particularly its linear quality. He often focuses on human faces and figures, which appear distorted or agonized. This preoccupation with the head might stem from the importance the Yoruba place on the head as the seat of consciousness. At the beginning of his career, Adenaike took up sociopolitical issues in his art, believing in art's ability to effect change. He thinks art should relate to social reality. In much of Adenaike's art, the rational side intersects with the world of emotions, fears and the subconscious. After graduating from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Adenaike went into advertising. He continues to pursue careers in the arts and in business.