Ayobola Kekere-Ekun (b. 1993) is a contemporary visual artist. She was born in Lagos, Nigeria. Her B.A. and M.A. in Visual arts were received from the Department of Creative Arts, University of Lagos; where she majored in Graphic Design. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Art and Design at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa. Ayobola is also a Lecturer at the Department of Creative Arts, University of Lagos.

Ayobola’s work often explores subjects connected to gender, mythology, power and the human condition in a multi-layered way; creating work through a labour-intensive process. Her work is heavily informed by personal experiences and observations. She is particularly interested in exploring the subtle interplay of time, space, gender, power and social structures in contemporary society.

Ayobola works predominantly with a technique known as quilling, in which strips of paper are individually shaped to create forms. She tends to quill with a variety of materials that respond well to the technique; including ribbons and strips of canvas. She constantly experiments with new ways of exploring materials and their capabilities. Ayobola views the intricacy of her work as a visual metaphor of the complexity of the subject matter she engages with.

Selected Exhibitions

November 2022, Refuge: An Uncommon Home – ABSA Gallery, Johannesburg

November 2022, Poetics of Material – Rele Gallery, Los Angeles

October 2022, Perspectives – Thinkspace Projects, Los Angeles

June 2022, Unity – Volery Gallery, Dubai

January 2022, Hand Land – C + N Canepaneri, Milan

November 2021, Hidden Message – Gallery Func, Shanghai

October 2021, LAX/ORD III: Growing the Focus – Vertical Gallery, Chicago

August 2021, The Invincible Hands – Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art, Lagos