Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Victor Olaoye. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Victor , appreciate you joining us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

I think my entire practice is all about taking risk and shifting boundaries. Challenging myself and entering into uncomfortable places. I grew up from a very rural area in Nigeria su

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am Victor Olaoye, a multidisciplinary artist whose practice sits at the intersection of material innovation, environmental awareness, and social commentary. My journey into art began with a fascination for transformation—both in materials and in ideas. Growing up, I was deeply aware of the ways labor, ecology, and human experience intersect, and I wanted to translate that awareness into a form that could communicate universally. Over time, this curiosity evolved into a dedication to textile-based, large-scale works that explore labor, decay, and ecological transformation.

I specialize in creating large-scale banana fiber textile paintings, a medium I developed through intensive research and experimentation. By sourcing banana stems from farms in Ondo, Nigeria, I not only engage directly with ecological materials but also support local farmers and low-income laborers, highlighting the human and environmental cost behind everyday materials. My work often incorporates weaving, machine embroidery, and natural dyeing techniques, resulting in pieces that blend conceptual depth with meticulous craftsmanship.

At the heart of my work is the problem I seek to solve: how to make visible the unseen labor and environmental degradation that underpins contemporary life. My pieces serve as both aesthetic experiences and critical reflections, inviting viewers to engage with the complexities of sustainability, labor justice, and material transformation. What sets me apart is my ability to merge conceptual rigor with technical mastery, creating artworks that are simultaneously beautiful, intellectually engaging, and socially resonant.

I am most proud of my ability to transform raw, often overlooked natural materials into works that can communicate globally while honoring local communities. Beyond the physical pieces, I see my practice as a platform for dialogue—between artist and audience, between industrial systems and the natural world, and between tradition and innovation.

For potential clients, collectors, or followers, I want them to understand that my work is about more than aesthetics—it’s about consciousness, transformation, and connectivity. Each piece is a reflection of ecological and human realities, crafted with care, research, and an unwavering commitment to storytelling through materials. My brand represents a dedication to meaningful, thoughtful art-making that engages critically with the world while providing collectors and audiences with works that are unique, impactful, and deeply considered.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

Yes, my creative journey is driven by a mission to make visible the unseen connections between labor, ecology, and material transformation. I aim to create artworks that not only showcase beauty and technical mastery but also provoke reflection on environmental degradation, global labor inequities, and the life cycles of the materials we often take for granted.

My goal is to build a practice that bridges local realities and global conversations—highlighting the human and ecological stories behind materials, while creating pieces that resonate on an aesthetic, emotional, and intellectual level. Through my work, I hope to foster awareness, inspire dialogue, and offer viewers a space to contemplate their relationship to the world around them, encouraging a deeper sense of responsibility, curiosity, and connection.

In short, my mission is to transform materials, ideas, and audiences simultaneously, using art as a platform for ecological consciousness, social awareness, and imaginative possibility.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The capacity to create and see imagination come alive

Contact Info:

• Website: Victor_olaoye
• Instagram: source:%20Instagram

Image Credits

Victor Olaoye