Damola Ayegbayo

Damola Ayegbayo is an acclaimed visual artist, celebrated for his mastery in paintings and drawings that deeply reflect his personal heritage and cultural narratives. Born in 1988 in Ejigbo, Osun State, Nigeria, Damola pursued his passion for art at Obafemi Awolowo University, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Fine and Applied Arts. Damola’s art has gained international attention and acclaim. Notably, his work was commissioned for the 2023 film adaptation of “The Color Purple.” He also gained recognition in the world of digital art, being the only African artist featured in the World of Women NFT projects, collaborating with prominent platforms such as OpenSea and Saatchi Art. Damola has exhibited his work globally, including in Nigeria, the US, the UK, Canada, and Europe. His paintings have been auctioned by renowned houses like Jasper52, LiveAuctioneers, and Bidhaus, and have found homes with private collectors such as Marcus Gardley, Jimmy Akingbola, and Lisane Basquiat. In 2022, his piece “Unconditional Love 2” was featured on the cover of HarperCollins Publishers’ “Relations: An Anthology of African and Diaspora Voices.” His work “Purpose of Existence” was used in a campaign by Cambridge University Press to promote black women’s mental health. In 2023, his artwork “Vision of Hope” was highlighted in Jimmy Akingbola’s documentary “HANDLE WITH CARE.” The name of my painting style is called ÀBÈFÉ meaning ( pleaded to be loved) which is my native name. my craft is an expressionism style of art, I use portraits of beautiful black women to speak to society about morals, good behavior, love, and unity. an image of a black beautiful woman always reminds me of how my strong mother trained and brought me up with love and good morals helping me to discover my real self, the concept of using a black woman is a great reference to my loving mother and the role Other women had played in my life, their importance and existence in the world can not be underestimated. He is inspired by his late grandfather that was a painter, sculptor, and ceramist from a tender age, as his love to practice art increased in the university by meeting with greater like minds in the department and visits many art galleries and art departments in other universities, also travelled to historic ancient cities and art workshop etc.. Education  OBAFEMI AWOLOWO UNIVERSITY — IFE-IFE, OSUN STATE. NIGERIA Fine and Applied Arts. BA.Ed (2012) Jean-Michel Basquiat’s Sisters Take Us Inside the King Pleasure Exhibit NYC tourism 2022 Events and Recognitions  2024, Damola Ayegbayo was commissioned to provide artwork for the Nigerian film poster of “The Color Purple” 2023, His artwork “Vision of Hope” was used for a film documentary “HANDLE WITH CARE” by Jimmy Akingbola. World of Women NFT also featured Damola Ayegbayo as the only African artist in their international projects, in partnership with OpenSea, Saatchi Art, Target, Wayfair and Vincent Van Gogh. He was also nominated for a JOM Charity Award, for those who demonstrate a commitment to social, environmental and humanitarian causes. He was also nominated for a Black Is An Honor Award in Rwanda. In 2022, HarperCollins used his artwork "Unconditional Love 2" on the cover of the book Relations: An Anthology of African and Diaspora Voices, edited by Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond. His work titled "Purpose of Existence" was used as the cover art for a campaign to promote Black women's mental health by Cambridge University Press. His works have been acquired by private collectors and sold by online art houses such as Liveauctioneer, Bidhaus and Jasper52. Exhibitions  The Coalition art Exhibition by Constance and sons Art Gallery, The conference centre, International Institute of tropical Agriculture IITA, Ibadan. 24th - 26th April. IRinajo Eda(Journey of Human life) Art exhibition, National museum of unity, Ibadan 19th to 21st December 2025 The Yemisi Shyllon inaugural Art exhibition, Yemisi Shyllon hall, National museum of Unity, Ibadan. 27th - 28th November 2025. AIMASIKO (Ignorance of Devine timing art Exibition) by Constance and son’s art gallery with National museum of Unity Ibadan, Oyo State. 24th - 30th August, 2025. A Virtual Showcase of Artwork by Hansford and Sons, London 2019 Harlem Fine Art Show New York 2022,  Art from the Motherland Exhibition Thames Art center2023, Brooklyn, New York Black Heroine Exhibition by Ominira Art Gallery, New York 2024. The Adventure 2020, A joint art exhibition   EXHIBITION