Dotun Popoola

Dotun Popoola (born in 1981, Lagos) is a contemporary Nigerian artist (sculptor) who specializes in synergetic metal sculpting. He creates pieces of art works from discarded scrap metals. His works are focused on transforming trash to treasures, rubbish to rubies and waste to wealth by repurposing wastes that threaten the ecosystem. Quotes My art is rooted in the use of discarded materials like motorcycle tanks, brake pads, car struts, bolts, nuts, and electric generator parts, all of which symbolize the visible signs of infrastructural decay in Nigeria. At first glance, you would see her graceful curves, raw beauty, and her innate power. But it also represents the pain that Black women have gone through. Each piece of fragmented scraps and butterflies tells a story of her struggles and triumphs, of hardships endured, and barriers overcome. Everything you see in the sculpture, it’s about bringing out the beauty of Blackness. Women create our life, they give us life and they make life meaningful to us. My art is rooted in the use of discarded materials like motorcycle tanks, brake pads, car struts, bolts, nuts, and electric generator parts, all of which symbolize the visible signs of infrastructural decay in Nigeria. These scattered scraps have become my medium for creatively narrating the story of our country. When you observe my lifelike, harmonious sculptures, you will sense a representation of life's resurgence after a decline. In my sculptures, metallic remnants are usually transformed into artistic creatures, including wild and domestic animals and even human forms. The application of colours enhances the final pieces, adding aesthetic appeal while partly concealing the struggles of the scrap materials. My sculptures, crafted from recycled metal scraps, serve as a platform for social commentary. They tackle issues such as waste management, the deterioration of infrastructure, and the urgency of repurposing and recycling the vast amount of waste that mars our environment and threatens our ecosystem. My artistic approach aligns with a personal belief that art should be a catalyst for change, a tool for examining our socio-cultural landscape, a means of reengineering, and a form of protest against environmental degradation. Throughout the years, my work has brought people from diverse backgrounds together in local communities. I have created sculptures from scraps donated by various individuals, making it even more captivating for each person to see their contributed materials within the entire assemblage. Popoola describes himself as “always on the move searching for new ideas, blending training in different forms of art from different schools and studios; different techniques and cultures, in order to create a unique form of art. Art is a language that I have always understood from childhood. I have used it to communicate so many values to the world. Being an artist has also afforded me an opportunity to inspire people and live a life that is fulfilling. In an interview The global media has almost affected everything, especially our culture. It has both positive and negative effects on almost everything. I would rather pay attention to the positives. I for example would not have been to get lots of international recognition without the help of the global media. It has enabled me to display and exhibit my works, culture, and heritage to different parts of the world. We can also argue that people, especially children are also influenced negatively by some copied values from other countries. Global Media has really helped visual arts in Africa to get promoted to the peak. We now experience African arts being exhibited and appreciated all around the world. In summary, I would say the positives are more than the negatives. In an interview The future is so clear and bright without spelling it out. For people that have followed me in the last three years, you would notice that I evolve myself. In the next future, I plan to make my brand a global one. So, in the Arts and Entertainment space, I want when you mention Dotun it would be like mentioning Wizkid, Tuface, Burna boy, and Davido in the Music and Entertainment space. In an interview External links Category: living people Category:Sculptors from Nigeria Category:1981 births