Adeola Balogun driving spirit on his career path is worth documenting. The aspirations, emotions and positions are everything on the path for excellence.

Writes Ireho Aito

It was a moment of joy and laughter between Adeola Balogun and I, after we both agreed to meet at a spot in Ikeja to connect for a long drive from the city capital of Lagos down to Apapa, a bustling industrial and sea port end of the Island of Lagos. If you are familiar with Lagos city, Apapa is a dreaded suburb because of its endless traffic gridlock anytime and everyday. It was definitely an insane arrangement but the truth is Adeola Balogun is a pathfinder. He is destined for open access.
Hopping into the car was a beautiful reunion that opened doors for more conversation on recent development in the art space. Adeola Balogun’s effective baritone is the key command for attention. His brilliance is captivating when you look at his slim frame. His voice is contemporary in Africa’s visual art sector. A swag that is uniquely his!

“Are you the young man with those captivating artworks and I opened my mouth agape? I just couldn’t take my eyes off your wonderful works and wouldn’t let go!” Young Adeola Balogun received this motivating comments from Yemisi Shyllon, an Engineer and one of Africa’s foremost art collector. He was invited as a guest of honour of young Adeola Balogun’s School’s Departmental exhibition in the mid – 90s, at the famous art school, Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, held at former Russian Cultural Center in Lagos. Yemisi Shyllon at the private viewing with other collectors begged to see the new superstar and commend his sterling qualities and prowess. Dr. Rukeme, then the departmental head was able to provide the naive artist to the hugely framed collector. “It was a very alluring scene for me. Though with a bit of trepid steps, meeting a renowned collector with his daring Goliant figure. I was over the moon!”
Adeola Balogun’s five sculptural works at the exhibition, incredibly launched a statement about the star coming forth and he actually sold almost all his submissions for the event. It was a unique way of stamping your authority on the arthouse when a collector picked your works as collector’s item.

Are you the young man with those captivating artworks and I opened my mouth agape? I just couldn’t take my eyes off your wonderful works and wouldn’t let go!”

He is a sculptor and teacher with extensive studio practice and solo exhibitions with his hallmark value for excellence. Adeola Balogun, despite being renowned, is constantly searching for knowledge. Now that he holds a PhD, aside numerous courses and residencies. Adeola Balogun oozes excellence and he is well positioned through illustrious destiny to make a genuine impact on mankind.

As we navigated the Lagos roads, Adeola Balogun reminisced about his days as a student, and later as a young graduate preparing for the National Youth Service Scheme (NYSC). Despite his initial ambivalence, fate had a way of guiding him back to familiar grounds. Now, as a lecturer at his alma mater – Yabatech and former head of department, he finds himself imparting knowledge to a new generation of artists, while also making significant contributions to the school’s burgeoning museum.
“Have you visited our museum in the school?” he enquired. I replied in the affirmative.

Adeola Balogun’s journey as an artist has taken him far and wide, from prestigious exhibitions to collaborative projects and residencies. His dedication and preparation have been the cornerstone of his success, a lesson he imparts to aspiring artists: “Always be prepared. When opportunity knocks, what do you have to offer?” For Balogun, relevance in the art world goes beyond commissioned works; it lies in the ability to exhibit and showcase one’s creations to a wider audience.

Always be prepared. When opportunity knocks, what do you have to offer?

“ I don’t think I have ever told you the story of what led me, becoming a lecturer at Yabatech?” he asked me. I replied no. And while the sun was scorching as we manoeuvre not too busy Saturday Lagos traffic, he delved into sharing some of his memorable moments in life. A story so relishing to the ears.
” I never knew I would end up becoming a lecturer in this institution that I had my education. I just wanted to do my thing and move on with my life. Yes, academically, I have always been at the front. While majoring in Sculpture, the teaching aspect has always been there, by assisting fellow students to put in their best,” the teacher stated.

I don’t think I have ever told you the story of what led me, becoming a lecturer at Yabatech?”

Back then, while preparing to round up his first degree and embarking on the compulsory one – year mandatory program to serve his country, the famous National Youth Service Scheme, popularly know as NYSC, Adeola Balogun, at some time worked as an assistant with Mr. Tolu Filani, a lecturer at the department, now a Professor and residing in the United States. The older teacher asked him about his preparation for the one – year mandatory program and his place of choice. Adeola Balogun took on a nostalgic path, “I remember telling him that I had nowhere in particular on my mind. Though as a young man, I would like to be posted to places outside the South Western part of Nigeria. Because I believed there would be enormous experience and adventure to feel from in the Northern and Eastern parts of the country. But I discovered my mentor was not convinced by mere looking at his reaction,” Adeola Balogun recalled.

“And he asked me, inquisitively that what becomes of me after my prestigious education in a school like Yabatech? I replied I need to just go on exploration. I just wanted to enjoy it. He responded again, telling me that at my place of primary assignment, they will only do me a favour by dumping me somewhere in the bush or at best, behind the desk with no meaningful impact. I actually chuckled but expected the best.”

And he asked me, inquisitively that what becomes of me after my prestigious education in a school like Yabatech? I replied I need to just go on exploration. I just wanted to enjoy it. He responded again, telling me that at my place of primary assignment, they will only do me a favour by dumping me somewhere in the bush

He eventually graduated as the best student in his set. And received his Call – Up letter and got posted to Lagos for his compulsory youth scheme. While at the Lagos camp and eventually received his place of primary assignment, Adeola Balogun was confused at what he saw. He couldn’t understand what he read. And he sought out one of his classmates for help. He found out that he was posted to his former school which was unusual, to have his one – year mandatory national service program. He guffawed with his classmates at this kind of surprise. Again, what a special grace! “Everything just happened that way for me. Till date I still imagine how it all happened.”

It was a sunny weekend with Adeola Balogun behind the wheels in his neat, sculptural Sports Utility Vehicle with two other occupants who happened to be his mentees in the car.
The drive was a bit devoid of the typical Lagos traffic pandemonium. We were actually heading to Qgallery at Apapa. Qgallery is the new baby in town and gradually moving up the ladder of exquisite galleries in Lagos. Adeola Balogun and Nurudeen Popoola, a teacher and his former student, both opened a joint exhibition entitled ‘Off Confines’ at the gallery. The exhibition opened up with a private viewing on March 23rd. I missed the grand opening and felt highly honoured on Adeola Balogun’s invitation to have a special view of the artworks at the exhibition. “Off Confines” was curated by iconic Moses Ohiomokhare, a curator and art consultant of profound experience!

To be continued…

Words/Ireho Aito/Don’t Keep Your Art in the Finger!/ Pictures/ Adeola Balogun