About the work

Tunji Adeniyi-Jones’ works emerge from a perspective of what the artist describes as ‘cultural addition, combination and collaboration’. His practice is inspired by the ancient history of West Africa and its attendant mythology, and by his Yoruba heritage. The figures are rendered in a vibrant single colour and built up from a composite of neatly connecting organic forms, and appear tightly contained within the confine of the picture plane. A separation from his paintings, Adeniyi-Jones’ drawings and prints give space to the figures, allowing the background to be more loose, elusive, allowing movement of its own.

Date and country of birth

1992, GB

Career Highlights

Solo exhibitions: Deep Dive, White Cube Hong Kong (2023); Tranquil Dive, Morán Morán, Mexico CitySpotlight, FLAG Art Foundation, New York (2023); Emergent Properties, Nicelle Beauchene Gallery, New York (2022); Voix Intérieures, White Cube Paris (2022).

Group exhibitions: Nigeria Imaginary, Nigerian Pavilion, 60th Venice Biennale (2024); Dream and Refuge –Works from the Jerwood Collection, Arnolfini, Bristol, UK (2023); In and Out of Time, Gallery 1957, Accra, Ghana; PUBLIC PRIVATE, Pond Society, Shanghai (2023); Rites of Passage, Gagosian Britannia Street, London (2023); Sounds of Blackness, Metropolitan Museum of Manila (The M), Philippines (2023); When We See Us, Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art (2022-present).

Awards and Residencies include Black Rock Residency, Dakar (2020); La Brea Studio Residency, The Cabin, Los Angeles (2018); and Forbes 30 Under 30 Artist of 2020.