ARTISTKolawole Joseph

Kolawole Joseph was born in Ibadan, Oyo state of Nigeria. As an artist he prides himself in the resurrection of inanimate objects through sculpture.

 

His work turns upcycled scrap metal; his primary material into figurative and semi-abstract sculpture. Combining it with wood, textile and paint. The application of sculptural form and texture as well as colour gives his work an original and enduring outlook.

 

While helping us see the beauty in these discarded materials he is also telling a story about the fundamental elements of life. Taking inspiration from the world around him his artistic journey began at a young age. From making cages out of wood and metal plates, his curiosity graduated into making drums, model trucks, and other objects. Unbeknownst to the young artist in the making, this would be the beginning of a career in upcycled mixed media artwork.

 

This curiosity was challenged during his education at Ibadan Polytechnic where he pursued his passion for sculpture. Ever since he has taken his career into his own hands and shaped for himself a unique artistic sensibility. Kola sees his place in the world as a single modest dot and that the world is simply a connection of moving dots and lines. From where every living and non-living thing emanates. This connection of forms and materials is what he makes manifest sculpturally.