Artist: Yewande Ambeke

Yewande Ambeke (b. 1994) lives and works in Lagos, Nigeria. Ambeke is a self-taught artist working primarily in painting. Her artistic journey is a deep exploration of the human mind, which she expresses through dynamic, cyclical and emotive brushstrokes.

Her practice is built upon a desire to navigate emotions often suppressed such as joy, fear, hope and anxiety, which she believes the audience can relate to due to a shared human experience. Her unique attribute is her portrayal of figures with a fluid and vibrating element to their appearance, giving rise to abstract figurative pieces that feel both intimate and transcendent.

"Two's A Company" by Yewande Ambeke from her "Seated Figures" series (2022)

Using acrylic paint on canvas, I explore the themes of mental rest and well-being, support systems and safe spaces.

Through my painting process, I reflect upon the therapeutic nature of art making by combining the intentionality of drawing with fluid movements of paint application. Due to the quick drying nature of acrylics, works are mainly created in the moment without the pressure of overthinking the outcome. By applying cyclical brushstrokes, I rely on my intuition to guide me through my creative process.

Her artistic journey has taken her to numerous exhibitions both within and beyond Nigeria. Notable recent showcases include "Life, As We Know It" (Lagos, 2023), "At Once, Then Again: Selections From Practice" (Lagos, 2023), "No Wahala" (Kingston, 2023), "Life Lines" (Lagos, 2023), and "Handwidth" (Ogun, 2023).