Wasiu Akande | Artist at Mondoir

Nationality: Nigerian

Discipline: mixed-media

Based in: Oyo, NG

Biography

My name is Sulaimon Wasiu Akande I was born and raised in Oyo State Nigeria. I attended Emmanuel Alayande College of Education Oyo where I studied Fine and applied arts. Between 2014 to 2017 My journey into art has always been deeply personal. Over the years, artists have used many shading techniques such as blurring, hatching, cross-hatching, pointillism, and the use of signs and symbols. However, in my own artistic practice, I developed a unique shading technique that has become a signature part of my work. This journey began around 2017, during a very challenging time in my life. I had a serious problem with my eyes and had to undergo eye surgery. After the operation, my doctor advised me to stay indoors for several months so my eyes could heal properly. I spent about four to six months at home recovering. During that time, life became very difficult. The doctor instructed me not to eat anything hot, so I had to rely mostly on water and soft drinks. I could not pray the way I normally did, and even simple daily activities became challenging. Whenever I wanted to use the toilet, I had to carefully raise my eyes upward. Sleeping was uncomfortable, and I could hardly do anything the way I used to. Those months were physically and emotionally difficult for me. At that time, I was living with two talented artists who were both my colleagues and mentors: Afolabi Oluwafemi and Akamwun Gabriel Oluwafemi. We stayed in the same room, ate together, worked together, and shared our artistic experiences. Today they are respected artists, and I learned a lot from being around them. Whenever they left for work, I would remain at home alone because of my condition. As someone who deeply loves art, I could not stay without creating. I began making simple pen scribbles on paper just to keep myself connected to art. During those quiet moments of experimentation, I accidentally discovered a particular shading technique. At first, it was just a repeated motion of shading with my pen. But when I noticed that the texture and patterns were becoming interesting, I continued doing it again and again. Over time, the technique started to make more sense to me, and it gradually became a natural part of my artistic expression. Apart from making figurative artworks, I also began creating abstract drawings using this same shading technique. Most of these abstract works were done on cards or paper. Through this method, I explored forms, patterns, and hidden images created entirely through shading. I produced many of these abstract drawings because that was where everything truly started for me. Before I began focusing on artworks meant for sale, I spent a lot of time experimenting with these abstract pieces. Although these abstract pieces are an important foundation of my artistic journey, I have not yet sold any of them. However, I continue to develop and share them because they represent the origin of my technique and artistic voice. After my eyes healed, I later moved to Lagos, where I worked as a graphic designer. Even while working and earning a salary, I could never take my mind away from art. Creativity was always calling me. On some Sundays, during my free time, I would pick up my pen and begin shading directly on paper without even making a sketch first. I would simply shade continuously. As the shading developed, shapes and forms would slowly appear. At that point, I would step back, observe the work carefully, move closer again, and gradually transform the emerging forms into something meaningful. That process became my method of creation. What started as simple pen scribbles during a difficult time in my life eventually evolved into a unique shading style that defines my artworks today. My journey reminds me that sometimes our greatest discoveries come from our most challenging moments.

Artist Statement

Using this method, I create both figurative and abstract compositions, allowing forms, textures, and hidden images to emerge naturally through layers of pen shading. Rather than beginning with a detailed sketch, I let the marks guide the creative process, responding intuitively until the final image reveals itself. My work explores transformation, perseverance, and the beauty that can emerge from adversity. Every drawing reflects the belief that our greatest discoveries often come from our most challenging moments, turning personal experience into visual narratives of hope, imagination, and renewal

Exhibitions

LIMCAF Life in my city

Education

I went to a college of education I studied Fine and Applied Arts for four years And later move to Lagos work as a graphics designer for several years got trained under Femo art production workshop