African woman essence

Orioye Bukola (b. 1993, Osogbo, Nigeria) is a self-taught artist with a degree in Chemistry from the University of Ilorin (2015). Trained under Tope Fatumbi at Topfat Art Gallery in 2019, Orioye’s work explores African spirituality, identity, memory, and cultural heritage through metaphor-rich narratives that bridge the past, present, and future.
His signature style combines 1980s punk-inspired aesthetics and Yoruba sculptural motifs with futuristic elements, drawing inspiration from sci-fi and postmodern cinema. Through fashion-forward, leather-clad figures, Orioye investigates themes of society, gender, and spirituality—often focusing on women as symbolic vessels of transformation.
He has exhibited internationally, including in New York, Paris, Detroit, Sweden, and the UK. His recent solo shows include Echoes of Colonization (Sweden, 2024) and Jejere (Cancer) (Nigeria, 2021). He was awarded the 2024 Unearthodox: Voice of Regeneration prize.