For Her First Solo Art Exhibition, Olubukola Bolarinde Presents 106 Expressions of Art and Fashion

Vanessa Obioha

In a fortnight, self-taught artist and architect Bukola Bolarinde will be presenting her artworks to audiences in a one-of-its-kind art and fashion exhibition. The exhibition tagged ‘106 Expressions’ is her first solo art exhibition and is curated by the prolific art and culture custodian Nike Davies-Okundaye of the Nike Art Gallery.

‘106 Expressions’ is an intimate display of Bolarinde’s artworks inspired by her experiences from childhood that traverse time and culture. It is a combination of art in different forms. From visual paintings to a fashion display, the exhibition will highlight and celebrate the rich African heritage.

“106 Expressions is a collection of artworks celebrating our African heritage; our people, and our culture. I have drawn inspiration from my experiences as an African child. The works transport you to a place and a time, perceived through an African child’s mind. A different time from the times we now live in. As our world continues to evolve, a great number of our children have not and will never have these experiences,” explained Bolarinde.

Naturally drawn to art in all its forms of expression, Bolarinde has always evinced a passion at an early age. This was demonstrated through her pencil drawings. 

Born in Lagos and the second of five children from her parents, Olubukola’s formative years were in the northern part of Nigeria;  from Jos to Kaduna and then Zaria. This helped in establishing her unique sense of identity and diversity. 

She left Nigeria for the United Kingdom where she studied Architecture (she gained admission into The School of Architecture, solely on the strength of her art portfolio) and later obtained a Master’s Degree in Environmental Design and Engineering from the prestigious Bartlett School of Architecture, University College London (UCL). After qualifying as an Architect, she returned to Nigeria and went on to have a most successful professional career spanning over 25 years; with more than 20 years in key leadership positions across the banking, oil and gas,  and telecommunications sectors in Sub-Saharan Africa. 

Today, she wears many hats in the creative industry that describe her as a unique storyteller of her time. As a writer, her 

descriptive prowess as a storyteller is translated through her art.

For the art exhibition, Bolarinde deployed various media such as acrylics and oils on canvas; the use of rich textures to create pieces that give an illusion of being tactile and three-dimensional, and hopes to deliver an immersive experience for viewers.  However, what stands out in the exhibition is her choice of venue, an uncompleted building in the iconic Eko Atlantic City in Lagos. This, she said, will heighten the experience of guests at the exhibition scheduled for June 10.