Adeola Balogun is one of Nigeria’s most disciplined artists, despite having a traditional background and connection with his ancestry, his quest for success continues to resonate royal presence.

You just cannot blame him for being so devoted to his work. He got an epiphany to do it and he has done it and still doing it. He is a mercurial artist, teacher, mentor and charitable person. Adeola Balogun crave for success stories for his mentees, perhaps, one of the reasons he gathers them to visit exhibition shows all over the country. He actually pays the fares.

In 2007, the young and amiable artist was just coming from one of his demanding lectures at the prestigious Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, when he was accosted in the departmental office by another teacher and artist, Kunle Adeyemi about documetary films for visual artists, chronicling on their lifestyle, career path and tested motifs, Balogun was excited about it and approved such cinematic experience for his sector that’s non in existence.

And since that time, Adeola Balogun, has savored experimentalism by investing in the global trends and issues, given him the cutting edge he needs to remain relevant.

Embarking on Climate Change, waste management and current affairs issues, by using creative patterns to tell his stories, thereby proferring solutions has actually stood him out as a an artist of all seasons.

“Ants and Giants” is an engaging series that will forever remain in our minds in art and exhibition history. An exhibition that was spot on to fill the vacuum in the art calendar. Adeola Balogun, opened our eyes to the society and inequality in wealth acquisition and sharing in the global space. He decided to use animals as metaphor to buttress his activism. Indeed, all animals are equal, but, unfortunately, some are more equal than others. The message was well served.

Ota community has a worthy son in Adeola, despite industrial presence in the community, the people still live in a peri-urbanisation. But hard work and integrity from one of their royals, is a notable scholarship to freedom. For him, Adeola Balogun has built a grandeur mansion and studio in his Ota community, knocking away the perpetual belief that artists are poor actors in life. His collection of literatures in his library breathes life into any visitor who comes to his abode. A paradise to behold complete with, of course, his myriad of works.

He devotes his time to listen to the community through his usual communal engagement, promoting art workshops and opening their eyes to investment opportunities they need to latch on in the art sector. ” I try always to invest on community engagement as it drives you closer to solving problems within the community.”

The art- Prince from Ota is a collector’s item when you burrow into his artistic odyssey. A visual presence of his work is the famous memorial statue of one time prominent Lagosian, politician and businessman, Funso Williams at Funso Williams Avenue, Adeola put a Mastercraft appeal to the work and reflected the symbolic mission of the late politican.

Though demanding, Adeola Balogun revealed that commissioned work censoring policy may make an average artist want to give up because of criticism before, during and after the work. But the positive vibes that accompanies commissions is a beautiful story to cherish for years. “Everytime you get to that spot and see tour product as it mounts, you feel an achiever’s buzz within that resonate into self belief. You are a prince destined for success.”

Words /Ireho Aito /photographs /Adeola Balogun Archives