Nigerian Artist Laolu Senbanjo takes Yoruba art global together with Nike.
Laolu was made famous from his collaboration with Beyonce however, it’s his heritage and being born and raised in Ilorin, Nigeria to Yoruba Parents that made his Art what it is.
Based in Brooklyn, NY since 2013 he’s really strived to make his name in the NY Art scene. He’s a Visual Artist, Musician, Human Rights Lawyer and Activist. His motto is:
“Everything is my Canvas”
Image credit Laolu Hands up by S.E.A.
He puts his mark on everything from canvas, to shoes, to walls and buildings, to clothing and even the body with his Sacred Art of the Ori. There’s no separating Laolu from his Yoruba heritage, it is ever present in all his work.
A strong advocate of holding onto your culture and spreading its glory he finds a way to marry his modern detail and ornate style with his Yoruba heritage by being one of the leaders in Afrofuturism Art. His preferred mediums are charcoal because it’s something as natural as life and death and he also likes to dabble in acrylics, inks and even wood.
Laolu has worked with Beyonce on “Lemonade,” been featured in the NY Times, collborated with brands and people like: Equinox Fitness, Nike, Kenneth Cole, Alicia Keys, Taraji Henson, Jidenna, Angelique Kidjo, Black Coffee, Swizz Beatz, Danielle Brooks, Vice, Usher, Seun Kuti, Davido, Sound Sultan, Tony Allen just to name a few.
Now Laolu has been hired by Nike as the ‘Master of Air to create Air-max inspired art.
“Laolu draws inspiration from his Yoruba heritage and global travels. At Air Max Con, he’ll be creating art, incorporating his love for Air Max, New York City, and sports.” Nike
Source: www.the-africanway.com