b. London, 1996

Lives and Works in London

Brixton-based British-Nigerian artist Sola Olulode’s dreamy queer visions explore embodiments of British Black Womxn and Non-Binary Folx. Working with various mediums of natural dyeing, batik, wax, ink, pastel, oil bar, and impasto she develops textural canvases that explore the fluidities of identities. Drawing inspiration from lived experience, friends, and cultural reference points to centre Black Queer Womxn, Olulode emphasises the integral need of representation and celebration of queer intimacies. 

Her utopian scenes celebrate relationships that transcend crude notions of queer sexuality, her figures exemplify the warm embrace of queer love, a temporal space to bathe in memories of intimacies abundant with scenes of profoundly deep tender connections. Envisaging a world reflective of the celebration of her own identities Olulode brings to life representation and visibility of Black Queer lived experiences. Her figures represent multifaceted complex individuals and the energy they hold in their bodies, relishing in a boundless temporality of self-validation and joy. 

Olulode received a BA in Fine Art Painting from the University of Brighton in 2018. Since graduating she has succeeded residencies with solo shows: von Goetz, Moving in the Bluish Light (2018); Lewisham Art House, Hold My Hand (2019); V.O Curations, Where the Ocean Meets the Beach (2020); and featured in the V&A’s In the Palm of Your Hands (2020). Various group exhibitions include: BBZ BLK BK: Alternative Graduate Show (2018); Twilights of the Idols (2020), Alice Black; Build Love Break Walls (2020), Shado Magazine; Blacklisted: An Indefinite Revolution (2020), Christie’s Education; and most recently When Shit Hits the Fan (2020), Guts Gallery (online).

EDUCATION
‍2018 BA Fine Art Painting, University of Brighton – 1st Class Honours
2015 Chelsea Camberwell Wimbledon (CCW),
University of the Arts London, Foundation inArt & Design Diploma
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‍SOLO EXHIBITIONS
‍2020 Where the Ocean Meets the Beach.VO Curations 12th Floor, London
2019 Don’t Let Go. Brixton Library, London 
2019 Hold My Hand, Lewisham Art House, London 
2018 Moving in the Bluish Light. von Goetz, London
2018 Colours. Brixton Library, London
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GROUP EXHIBITIONS
‍2020 The Apocolypse Will Blossom, The Gallyry. Online
2020 Show of Support. Online2020 When Shit Hits the Fan. Instagram
2020 Blacklisted: An Indefinite Revolution. Christie's Education, London
2020 Tender. Deptford Does Art Gallery, London 
2020 Build Love, Break Walls. Bermondsey Project Space, London 
2020 Twilights of the Idols. Alice Black. London 
2019 Guts Gallery Ugly Duck, London
2019 Here & Now Oxo Tower Wharf, London
2019 In memory of Naomi Hersi London School of Economics, London
2018 Save To Photos, Delete Screenshot. Peckham Pelican, London70/70. St. George’s University of London, London
The Black Current Jam. Ace Hotel,
LondonOrbit UK Art Graduates Show. OXO Barge House, London
BBZ BLK BK: Alternative Graduate Show. Copeland Gallery, London
2017 Black Blossoms: “If We are Going to Heal, Let it Be Glorious”. The Royal Standard, Liverpool & Sheffield Showroom, Sheffield
Black Girl Festival. Kachette, London
BBZ London Draw & Draw. Pempeople, London
Bloom The Short Film & Exhibition. Copeland Gallery, London

‍ART FAIRS
‍2018 Affordable Art Fair. Battersea Evolution, London

‍AWARDS 
‍2018 Lewisham Arthouse Graduate Studio Bursary
2018 Short-listed for the Evening Standard Art Prize (Final 10) 

‍TALKS
‍2019 Represent. Wimbledon College of Art 
2019 Black History Month: Artist Talk. London College of Communication 

RESIDENCIES
‍V.O. Curations Nov 2019 - Feb 2020
2018 von Goetz Frieze Week Residency, Londo