Timi Taiwo, an artists portfolio

Timi Taiwo

An Artist’s Portfolio

“Side Eye” This is a piece speaks to a recent trend in social media and how strongly it ties In with west African culture.

Acrylic on bristol Size is roughly 19x24”

Oluwatimilehin Taiwo, Side Eye, 2023

“POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC STATE OF THE WORLD RIGHT NOW.” My thought process with this piece was to convey my thoughts on what the world looks like today at it’s deepest and rawest level.

This depiction of a crash really carries my idea of what politics looks like today, two political parties constantly at loggerheads and what this leads to is a collision. With these buses (danfos) notorious for reckless driving that is how I represent the leadership in the world nowadays, with none of us in the drivers seat and having no say or control.

Oil pastel on bristol paper.

Size is 19x24”

Oluwatimilehin Taiwo, Political and Economic state of the World right now, 2022

“Disco is dead.”

This is the fourth piece in my oil pastel series which concentrated on hair and how black people choose to wear their crowns. In this work the hairstyle depicted is an afro.

Oil pastel and graphite on paper.

Size is roughly 9x12”

Oluwatimilehin Taiwo, Disco is Dead, 2022

“HONOUR THY FATHER” This piece depicts a father and son and what it represents are the pressures on the children of African households, the pressure to succeed. Ultimately this weighs greatly on one, living up to ideals that they did not even set for themselves. Being forced to live a life that was planned for them before they ever found their footing in this world. In his homes like this defying those ideals is not a norm in any way, the belief of honouring ones parents is heavily followed. These ideals created stem from a place of love but are ultimately controlling.

Color pencil and graphite on paper.

Size is 9x12”

Oluwatimilehin Taiwo, Honour Thy Father, 2021

“LAZY EYE” This was my take on modern cubism and how I feel it would be applied to the black community seeing as the roots of the art style are generated from West African art. I felt I should try to bring this style back and apply it to its people of the current day showing the dynamism and changes in culture that went along through time which can be seen through the juxtaposition of syntax in the work ranging from the apparel shown, style and or use of elements as well. The thought of making a series has come up recently. In an effort “reclaim” a style. In this work specifically I am highlighting features like lazy eyes which are never really never celebrated and showing how beautiful they can be once they are accepted.

Color pencil, ink and graphite on paper.

Size is 9x12”

Oluwatimilehin Taiwo, Lazy Eye, 2021

“WAIT TILL MY SH*T LOC UP” One thing I’ve enjoyed is creating art that relates to the black experience and I do this mostly by telling relatable stories through our hair, our crowns, our pride. With this piece I aimed to make something that would be understood at first glance, the start of one’s loc journey and the time spent in the “ugly phase” of this hairstyle. With this I believe I’m telling a relatable story, a memorable one that we’ve heard and seen time and time again.

Color pencil on paper.

Size is 12x18”

Oluwatimilehin Taiwo, Wait till my shit loc up, 2022

“It’s up and it’s stuck.”

This is the third piece in my oil pastel series which concentrated on hair and how black people choose to wear their crowns. In this work the hairstyle depicted are fresh box braids.

Oil pastel and graphite on paper.

Size is roughly 9x12”

Oluwatimilehin Taiwo, It’s up and it’s stuck, 2022

“Freeform” This is the final piece in my oil pastel series which concentrated on hair and how black people choose to wear their crowns. In this work the hairstyle depicted are freeform locs.

Oil pastel and graphite on paper.

Size is roughly 9x12”

Oluwatimilehin Taiwo, Freeform, 2022

“Common Denominator” This is a piece that depicts West African people of different cultural, religious, and ethnic backgrounds in what may be considered the most popular form of local transportation in Nigeria and neighboring countries, the danfo. This is a bus that can be found in most parts of the country and serves as a common denominator between people who struggle to find things they have in common.

Acrylic on Canvas Size is roughly 18x24”

Oluwatimilehin Taiwo, Common Denominator, 2022

“Good Runs” This is a piece that is loosely reminiscent on long hot summer days growing up in Lagos.

Acrylic on bristol Size is roughly 19x24”

Oluwatimilehin Taiwo, Good Runs, 2023