Sanya Gbemileke Dare | Artist at Mondoir

Nationality: Nigerian

Discipline: painting

Based in: Lagos, NG

Biography

Sanya Gbemileke (b. 1987) was born in Lagos, Nigeria. He is a Nigerian visual artist who studied Fine and Applied Arts at the prestigious Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), where he specialized in Painting and earned a Bachelor's Degree in 2016. His artistic practice explores the intersection of spirit, consciousness, memory, and culture through two distinctive yet interconnected visual languages. One body of work employs richly layered enamel on canvas, creating luminous surfaces that evoke depth, movement, and emotional resonance. The other incorporates a recurring leaf motif, a symbolic element that reflects growth, renewal, the unseen rhythms of life, and the connection between the physical and spiritual worlds. Rooted in his African heritage while embracing contemporary expression, Sanya creates paintings that invite viewers into moments of contemplation and self-discovery. His works seek to build a bridge between the seen and the unseen, transforming intangible experiences into compelling visual narratives. In 2022, Sanya's work was featured in the group exhibition Soul and Spirit at Voltz Clarke Gallery, New York, where it was warmly received by audiences and collectors. He continues to develop bodies of work that expand conversations around spirituality, identity, and human consciousness through his evolving artistic practice.

Artist Statement

My Work is an exploration of the unseen landscape of the spirit, the consciousness of the mind, and the eternal nature of the soul. Through Acrylic on canvas, I seek to give visual form to realities that cannot be touched yet profoundly shape human existence. Rooted in African philosophy and influenced by the depth of spiritual thought, my paintings serve as a bridge between the physical and the invisible. Rather than simply depicting figures, I create Spaces where emotions, memory, faith, and consciousness intersect. Every of my paintings is an invitation to pause, reflect, and engage with what lies beyond appearance. My aim is not only to create butiful works but also to awaken contemplation, allowing each viewer to discover meaning through their own experience. These works transform the unseen into visual experiences, revealing that some of life's deepest truths are perceived not with the eyes but also the spirit.

Exhibitions

2025 Lagos Easter carnival. Finally Art Africa Gallery, j-randle, Onikan. Lagos. 2024 Affordable Art sales. December sales. My dream Gallery, Victoria island. Lagos. 2022 Soul and Spirit, Voltz Clarke Gallery. New York City. United State of America.

Education

2016 Ladoke Akintola University of Technology. Hons Bachelor of Fine And Applied Art.