Artist Biography

Gbemisola is a self-taught Nigerian-born artist currently based in London, England. She can be described as adventurous and has been expressing herself through various art mediums and techniques since childhood. Over the last half-decade, Gbemisola has honed her skills in art and design as a Digital Product Designer and has since developed a passion for painting. Her art is inspired by a collection of themes loosely based on her childhood in Nigeria.

The paintings resurrect scenes from this colorfully familiar time; telling old stories to new audiences. Centering her art on the scenes and styles that shaped her formative years was a natural choice.

Artist Statement

Coming into her own as an artist during the longest enforced break of recent times, Gbemisola Abijo utilized the solitude of the pandemic to create a world of her own. Set in an ambiguously familiar setting of late 90s West Africa, her world is built on luminous but uniquely noir characters. Gbemisola’s paintings depict life and scenes that bring back times past in refreshingly new ways.  

Her work has been described as striking, captivating and deeply emblematic of a new swathe of post-modern African art. The vibrant backgrounds and styles present a welcome contrast with the faceless figures that dominate her work. The deft themes of memory and melancholy that the figures evoke ensure that viewers of Gbemisola Abijo’s collection are invited to build narratives of their own.    

Gbemisola hopes this art speaks to not only Africans, who see familiar memories on display, but stirs emotions in people of all backgrounds.  

Instagram: @gbemiabijo

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What initially compelled you to create your work?

A move across continents spurred in me a longing for a new creative outlet. This would serve as a kind of coping mechanism to ease the inevitable growing pains and culture shocks as I came to know my new home. The feelings of nostalgia and the rosy imagery that is often associated with it are primary subjects in my paintings. My art brings to life nostalgic postcards from my Nigerian childhood, one stroke at a time.

What main topic does your artwork address and why?

There are a few themes that are more seminal to the African diaspora as the feelings of belonging and thoughts of home. Beyond the need to affirm identity through art, we contribute to global narratives by continuing to step forward and be seen. My art is a conscious attempt to tell stories familiar to me, with hope to also transport a wider audience to these places.  

In your artistic journey, what has been the most challenging point thus far?

Finding relatively affordable shareable studio spaces. All of my painting is done at home which is less ideal. Finding a studio space I can share with other artists will be amazing.

Is there an aspect of your life that especially impacts your practice?

As my art depicts scenes and settings from my past, the memories with loved ones stand out as my work’s most potent inspiration. Conversations about home fuel ideas that in turn lead to paint on canvas.

What do you do when you find yourself at a creative block?

Like most artists, I would love for there to be a magic pill that just fixes these blocks, but in reality, I find it helpful to take a break to spend some time reading, exploring, talking to people; consuming art in general. A healthy amount of detachment from one’s work can do wonders.