Tope Fatunmbi

Tope Fatunmbi is a multi-media artist working in painting and drawing whilst socially engaging African motives with a strong contemporary influence. Fatunmbi was born in South Nigeria and he is now based in Ibadan. His portrait paintings of the hairstyles of black women celebrate the beauty and complexities of Yoruba (South Nigeria) women. They also address the importance of black women’s existence and the elegance of their traditional hairstyles. His artistic instincts were awakened as a child whilst he watched his grandmother delicately braiding women’s hair in her shop.The organised patterns in the works are juxtaposed against the freedom of the hairstyles which are not only fashion statements but also tribal identifications. However, Fatunmbi develops a sense of texture within the clothing that creates a contrast along with his own unique style.