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Mukaila Ayoade

"I consider myself an experimentalist and surrealist artist. I have successfully used several media as a way of expression, including watercolors, oil, acrylics, pencils, pens, charcoal, feathers and newspaper.

"I was born on October 1st, 1960 in the Osun State of western Nigeria. I studied fine art at Yaba College of Technology in Lagos, where I majored in painting. I also enjoy crafts, especially in the area of recycling which I term 'Waste to Wealth.' I create several products with newspaper such as vases, baskets, classic cars, water bottle holder, etc.

"In my studio I work according to the dictates of my mind, even if it looks odd. I'm always ready to make a mistake knowing full well that is nothing but a light in the darkness of ignorance.

"I constantly take courses and workshops on different techniques and styles to keep my work up to date, such as the 'Swimming Calabashes' workshop organized by the Goethe Institute. We carved gourds in different shapes and exhibited them in a lagoon!

"I have participated in several group exhibitions, both in Nigeria and abroad, and my solo exhibits include one in a gallery in Ikoyi Lagos (2000) featuring my work with feathers, and most recently at the Pan African University focusing only on works done with newspapers. My works can be found in Nigeria, Benin Republic and Ghana."