On View July 10 – August 28, 2025
Artist bio:
“I am Said Oladejo-Lawal. I was born in Lagos, Nigeria. I live in Columbus Ohio, with my wife and two children.
My father was a contractor who specialized in painting and decorating houses and exposed me to some intricacies of design and decoration. My dad would often regale the rest of the family with stories of how as a toddler, I would roll in paint whenever he took me to work. My Dad inspired me to paint, and I started drawing from an early age. I made efforts to project senses out of stick figures and tried to express a distinct sense of emotions when necessary.
I studied painting in Nigeria and graduated 1995 from the prestigious Yaba College of Technology Lagos. I also graduated with a bachelor’s degree in graphic design from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, United States of America in 2012.
My journey through art so far has taken me through many of the media available for use. I started with pencils, crayons, then oil and moved on to photography, watercolor, pastel and now acrylic. I always use my themes to explore the hidden part of our daily lives. I enjoy expressing emotions and feelings because they are the essence of who are, even though we mostly think they are mundane. I like music, dance and the feelings associated with them.
My colors are fauvist in outlook and my presentation is often classified as that of an impressionist artist. I use bright colors to bring nostalgia and deep emotions out of anyone who encounters my paintings. I want people to walk away feeling deeply connected with each of my art pieces. I want every experience with my art to be worthwhile.
I am a lone painter with a studio behind my house, a member of the Guild of Artists & Artisans Michigan and the Ohio Art League.
I have solo and group exhibitions throughout the year, as well as various art festivals within and outside Columbus, Ohio.”