Woven Identities: Portraits by Ifeoluwa Alade

Nigerian artist Ifeoluwa Alade weaves striking portraits by layering thousands of narrow, ribbon-like marks until faces and bodies emerge in intricate compositions that reflect the complexity of human identity.

Born in 1995 and trained at Obafemi Awolowo University under painter Jonathan Imafidor, Ifeoluwa developed the technique out of Araism, the Nigerian art movement centered around illumination and gesture, before evolving into the distinctive visual language seen in his recent work. For Ifeoluwa, the woven structure of each figure represents the experiences, beliefs, relationships and emotions that come together to shape an individual.

Nature plays an equally important role throughout his paintings. Flowers spill from his subjects’ hair, birds perch among leaves and nests, and butterflies hover across the compositions, introducing vivid flashes of color while reinforcing themes of connection, renewal and transformation. Working primarily with oil, acrylic and watercolor, Ifeoluwa uses these recurring symbols to create portraits that feel both deeply personal and broadly human.

For more of Ifeoluwa Alade’s work, follow him on Instagram and explore his portfolio.

More art on the grid via Abend Gallery