Kolade Oshinowo

Nigeria

Born in: 1948

Painting and Print-making

Kolade Adekunle Oshinowo, a native of Ikorodu, Lagos State, was born on February 6th, 1948 in Ibadan, Oyo State. He is one of Nigeria's most respected and influential artists, arts educator and mentor to younger artists. He had his primary and secondary formal education in Ibadan and Abeokuta between 1954 and 1966. He worked briefly as a clerical officer with the Cooperative Bank, Ile-Ife before proceeding to Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria to study Fine Art in October 1968. He graduated from ABU with a Bachelor of Art, with a major in Painting in June 1972. He was employed the same year he graduated by the Federal Ministry of Education and posted to Kings College Lagos where he taught for two years before moving to Yaba College of Technology in April 1974, where he worked as an assistant lecturer in drawing and painting.

In January 1986, he was appointed the Head of Department, Fine Art in Yaba College of Technology, a post he held till October 1990, when he was elected the Director of the School of Art, Design and Printing. In February 1992, he was elected the Deputy Rector of the College. He was appointed to serve a second term in office between February 1994 and February 1996. He retired as a Chief Lecturer in Painting in the School of Art, Design and Printing in 2008. He also served as a member of the College Council between February 1992 and August 1993. He was a member of the Academic Board of the College for 12 consecutive years (1984 1996).

Oshinowo engages with a wide range of issues and some of his works are a response to social and political problems. The celebration of confident, strong as well as beautiful African women is one of his major inspirations and his paintings, which recently incorporates strips of fabric, are immediately recognizable. A strong sense of reality, preoccupation with man and his environment coupled with consistency, commitment and sincerity of purpose are fundamental characteristics of his work.

From 1975-1980, Oshinowo served as national secretary of the Society of Nigerian Artists. He was made a Fellow of the society in 2004, he was elected president in 2005, a position he held till 2008. he is also a foundation member of the Visual Art Society of Nigeria (VASON). He is a member of the governing council of Redeemers College of Technology and Management (RECTEM) and a member of the board Lagos State Council for Arts and Culture. He is a recipient of several awards including the Red Star Award in the All African Schools Painting Competition organized in Tanzania in 1966; The World Cultural Council Award of Diploma in recognition of artistic contribution to humanity in 1992; The 50th anniversary Five Star Award for excellence and meritorious service to Yaba College of Technology in 1998, and the National Productivity Order of Merit Award (NPOM) by the Federal Government of Nigeria in 2001. He was also awarded with a honorary Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree by the British American University, Port Novo, Benin Republic on 12th March, 2018.

Blessed with three children, he enjoys playing Lawn Tennis and listening to good music. He is a member of Ikoyi Club, 1938.

Awards

In February 1992, Oshinowo was given the World Cultural Council Award of Diploma in recognition of his artistic contributions to humanity. In March 1996, he was awarded a plaque of honour by the Yaba College of Technology community in recognition of successful tenure as Deputy Rector while in 1998 he was awarded the 50th anniversary Five Star Award for excellence and meritorious service to the College.

Oshinowo has participated in 25 solo and over 130 group exhibitions within and outside Nigeria, as well has received numerous high profile commissions for individuals, companies and government agencies. He has also participated in several national and international seminars, workshops and conferences. Most of his works are in many public and private collections, museums and Galleries in Nigeria and abroad.