Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Olatunji Sanusi . We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Olatunji , thanks for joining us today. Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?
I am very much happy as an Artist and I have never for once taught of having a regular job. To me Art has been a hobby which turns around to be a career for me. Seeing my self waking up everyday to do what I love doing, seeing my self doing what is therapeutic for me, not been under the control of anyone, been able to express myself the way I want on my canvas and making my honest leaving out of it, is a blessing for me.
Olatunji , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
Sanusi Olatunji is from Yoruba tribe, born in Ejigbo Lagos, Nigeria. Growing up as the only artist in his family, and in a town where art wasn’t well received by the majority, this did not stop Sanusi from pursuing his dream of becoming an accomplished artist.
After receiving a degree in art, he worked as a full-time studio artist in Lagos Nigeria, while furthering his education in the area of industrial techniques.
When living in South Africa, Sanusi believes that Nigeria provided an opportunity to explore ideas and South Africa provided him an opportunity to follow his dreams.
Practicing and exhibiting his art throughout Africa has been an uplifting experience, and he’s looking forward to taking on the world! He has discovered a love working in several mediums, but fabric Collage has been his most favourite as he sees it as a form of telling the story of Africa/ African children and recycling which he called (Waste is wealth)
CV-
Pry school- Effortswill nursery and primary school.
High school-Ansar ud deen college Isolo
University -Yaba college of technology.
Industrial training- Universal studio (National Art Theatre Lagos)
Degree- Diploma in Art.
Studio Artist at National Cultural History Museum (2010)
First solo Exhibition American Embassy 2012.
Group Exhibition at St. Lorient Art Gallery Brooklyn.
Group Exhibition at Association of art Pretoria.
Group Exhibition Long St. Art lovers Waterkloof.
Chris Tugwell Gallery
MTN bush fire (yebo art and design Swaziland) 2015
Touquoise harmony institute new offices launching (Art for peace) exhibition in Sandton 2016
Art in a house Exhibition with (Friends and Talent) March 2016 .
Launching of Julie miller
investment art institute 2016 .
Group Exhibition at MapContemporary.
Group Exhibition Afrique Maboneng 2016
Solo Exhibition- (SAVE WATER) ODA Gallery
Franshoek Cape Town March 2017
Turbine2017
Solo exhibition- (The Future) Long
St. Art Lovers
Group Exhibition at Absa Gallery titled (talking to the deaf ears)
Mall of Africa Art Collective season 2018.
Solo exhibition
titled (African Allures) at Art @ Africa Gallery clock tower waterfront Cape Town May 2018.
Featured in RMB permanent collections.
Turbine Art fair 2018.
Partnered with Anglo American and featured in their permanent collections.
Featured in IT WEB
Brainstorm 2019 calendar and Dell Emc collection.
Partnered with (Lawyer against abuse) fundraising auction 2017 / 2019
Partnered with (Alpha kappa Alpha sorority) fundraising auction 2017 / 2018
Partnered with (AMREF HEALTH AFRICA ARTBALL NEWYORK) fundraising auction 2019.
Featured in Steyn collection.
Featured in Christopher Holbar’s permanent collection.
Award winner of outstanding Nigerian in Creative Arts South Africa 2019.
Featured in RMB WINEX 2019
Commissioned with an art piece and partnerd with Standard Bank Africa. IB Africa Regions conference 2020.
Commissioned with an art piece and partnerd with FNBSA in celebrating Africa Month 2021.
Featured in The Ball (Basketball Africa league tournament Kigali) closing event 2021
“Teach them young” Inaugural Solo Exhibition in Lagos, Nigeria, July 2021
“Memories of the Childhood”,
Solo Exhibition in Lagos, Nigeria, Dec-2021
“I am that I am” group exhibition at Tiny white wall Gallery Baltimore US February 2022.
Group Exhibition at Blue Gallery Newyork August 2022
Partnered with Smile Artists Africa ( Fushion Art Fashion) fund raising auction October 2022
“Parenting”
Solo Exhibition at the Harlem Fine Arts Show 15 years anniversary Newyork City, February 2024.
Group Exhibition at the Nigeria Contemporary Art Exhibition Cavalieri Hotel Malta. June 2023
E&S Gallery group Exhibition at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Sep 2023. Washington DC.
Art Basel Miami 2023,
With Global Billionaire magazine.
“Direction”
Solo Exhibition at the Harlem Fine Arts Show 16 years anniversary Newyork City, February 2024.
Presently an established studio collage artist in Maryland USA.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
The particular goal and mission that drives my creative journey is the love and passion I have always have for Art. I do urge upcoming Artist never to make money their first goal when creating Art. The passion and love should be the first goal and the money will follow as bonus.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
I have been in situations where I see myself been down or been provoked. Instead of allowing the situations to weigh me down, I always make sure I channel the energy into my Artworks, and that moment I start working and releases my self to the Art ,my mood changes to a good one.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Sanusiolatunjiartstudios
- Facebook: SANUSI OLATUNJI ART
Image Credits
Sanusi Olatunji Art