Nurturing future talents with passion
Many visual artists are often seen as individualistic in the practice of their profession. They find solace in keeping within their studios rather than interacting or sharing ideas about their
Many visual artists are often seen as individualistic in the practice of their profession. They find solace in keeping within their studios rather than interacting or sharing ideas about their profession with fellow artists. But, the case of Kazeem Babalola, a contemporary artist and educator whose practice is rooted in the rich visual culture of Nigeria, is quite different.
A graduate of Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED) in Ijebu Ode, Kazeem has distinguished himself through a dynamic painting style that often interrogates themes of identity, community, and socio-political change.
Beyond studio practice, he has earned a reputation as art teacher of international repute, having facilitated workshops and lectures that inspire creativity and critical thinking in students across borders. His dual commitment to producing compelling art and nurturing future talents positions him as a vital contributor to the contemporary art landscape. With exhibition history that spans both Nigeria and the international stage, Kazeem’s works have been recognised for its emotional depth and aesthetic appeal.
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Some of his recent paintings dwell on themes that speak to duality such as man’s resilience and joy, childhood and innocence, mercy and innocence as well as Black dignity, cultural identity and the celebration of traditional Yoruba culture.
In Mothers’ love, Kazeem pays homage to motherhood as he celebrates qualities such as grace, resilience, and quiet power, while also draws inspiration from people and children in their surroundings. The painting conveys a sense of life and joy, focusing on the beauty in everyday life, and joys of motherhood.
The artist utilizes a vibrant and impressionistic colour scheme like warm brown and orange tones, to render the image, thus highlighting the light and form. However, he manipulates the overall outlook of the image with effective use of contrasting cool tones. He captures the child wearing an orange top, which contrasts with the prominent green of the carrier or sling and the blue/purple fabric beside them.
In order to bring out the image, he uses a background that is primarily light, neutral white or pale wash to achieve this.
Thematically, Mothers’ love treats childhood and innocence, focusing on the young child while capturing a moment of curiosity or contemplation. Portraiture and identity themes also find expression in the painting, which seeks to capture the unique character and presence of the subject.
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In celebration of Yoruba culture, the artist highlights the traditional beauty, practices and importance of hairstyles from that ethnic group. In Omidiri, he captures a female figure with a stunning hair-do using strong brushstrokes and vibrant colours to imbue the subject with light and life, highlighting her features and traditional adornments like the earrings and beaded necklace. The work serves as a modern portrait that grounds the subject within her rich cultural heritage.
Kazeem plays with dynamic and warm colour scheme to enhance the visual appeal of the work, while backing it with rich brown, deep reds and orange colours to create a sense of warmth. However, there is a deliberate contrast with a striking, flat pink background which provides a cool contrast to the warm tones of the subject.
In a throwback to the world of teens where mercy and innocence reign, the artist paints, Innocence gaze, a simple portrait to refresh viewers’ memory with nostalgic feelings as children. His use of bright yellow colours in the background offers contrast to the subject’s complexion –black skin.
Over the years, he has participated in solo and group exhibitions across the country. They include Face and Phases (2017), Face and Phases 2.0 (2018), October rain (2019), My Watch (2019), African Drum Festival 2019, October Rain 2020, The Creative Conquest (2021) and Art Rejuvenation (July 2022). Others are Cross currents 2023, Man and Earth (2024), Waste and Humanity (2025), Ake (2025) and The Kinship (2025).
