Ayobola Kekere-Ekun: Unraveling Memory Through Intricate Paper Forms
Ayobola Kekere-Ekun, born in Lagos, Nigeria, in 1993, is a Nigerian contemporary visual artist whose distinctive artistic practice centers around the meticulous technique of quilling—the art of rolling thin strips of paper into decorative shapes. Her journey began with formative years steeped in artistic exploration fostered by her parents’ encouragement and continued through rigorous academic pursuits culminating in degrees from the University of Lagos in Graphic Design and Visual Arts.
- Education: BA & MA in Visual Arts, Department of Creative Arts, University of Lagos
- Current Status: Lecturer at the Department of Creative Arts, University of Lagos
- PhD Pursuit: Currently pursuing a PhD in Art and Design at the University of Johannesburg
Kekere-Ekun’s artistic vision is profoundly shaped by personal experiences—particularly confronting childhood trauma—which fuels her exploration of themes like gender, mythology, memory, and power dynamics. Unlike many artists who rely on grand narratives or stylistic conventions, Kekere-Ekun favors a deeply introspective approach, utilizing quilling not merely as a craft but as a symbolic language to convey complex emotions and psychological states.
Her work’s visual aesthetic—characterized by layered paper cutouts and intricate paper forms—reflects her fascination with linear patterns combined with the painstaking process of quilling. This technique demands considerable time and patience, mirroring the artist's dedication to confronting difficult truths about herself and her past.
Notable exhibitions include Latitudes Art Fair Johannesburg (2024), Arte Fiera Bologna (2023), SCOPE Miami Beach (2021). Her debut solo exhibition in 2019, “Resilient Lines,” at rele gallery was supported by a grant awarded by the Dean Collection—a testament to her growing recognition within the contemporary art world.
Further accolades include the ABSA L’Atelier Award (2021) and The Future Awards Prize for Creativity (2018), underscoring Kekere-Ekun's commitment to artistic innovation and engagement with social issues. Her exploration of memory—specifically confronting gaps and distortions—is central to her oeuvre, positioning her as a voice articulating vulnerability and resilience.
Recent projects include “Real Housewives of Old Oyo-Aja,” a surreal paper cut-out exploring themes of nature and human form; and “She and I,” which delves into the artist’s personal reckoning with childhood trauma through meticulously crafted paper forms. These works demonstrate Kekere-Ekun's ability to transform psychological introspection into compelling visual narratives.
- Notable Exhibitions: Latitudes Art Fair Johannesburg (2024), Arte Fiera Bologna (2023), SCOPE Miami Beach (2021)
- Awards: ABSA L’Atelier Award (2021), The Future Awards Prize for Creativity (2018)
Ultimately, Ayobola Kekere-Ekun's contribution to contemporary art lies in her ability to harness the meditative precision of quilling—a technique rooted in tradition yet imbued with a distinctly modern sensibility—to confront difficult subjects and illuminate the complexities of human experience.
