Olaolu Slawn is not just an artist, he’s a cultural whirlwind shaking up the contemporary art scene. This Nigerian sensation isn’t just making waves, he's creating a full-blown tsunami, riding it with an unbothered shrug and a smirk, completely unfazed by whether you're drowning in it.
Born Olaolu Akeredolu-Ale in 2000 in Lagos, Nigeria, Slawn has quickly gone from a local prodigy to a global disruptor, fusing vibrant creativity with razor-sharp social commentary. Now settled in London, his work is the kind of thing that gets everyone talking or pretending they understand it. Who knows?
Slawn’s art? It’s a wild mash-up of cartoon faces, mind-bending shapes, and colors that demand attention, like a sensory overload you can't look away from. He assaults his canvases with markers and spray paint as though he's waging a war on blank space. Some call it provocative; others call it chaotic. Whatever floats your boat 🤷🏾♂️
His work doesn't just get attention; it demands it, often igniting heated debates. Take "Three Arthurs," for example. It features figures in suits that eerily resemble outdated racist caricatures. When asked why he draws them, Slawn responds, "That’s all I know how to draw." Is he challenging us? Or just having fun?
While some might view his work as perpetuating harmful stereotypes, Slawn explained in an Avant Arte interview with Haja Marie Kanu, “When people say 'wow, this guy is painting racist caricatures,' I’m not even painting ‘coons’, I’m painting clowns.”
Slawn has always drawn clowns, by simply changing the color of the characters—turning their skin to black and their lips and noses to red—the same figures are being labeled as racist caricatures. This wasn’t a deliberate move to perpetuate racism but rather an attempt to challenge viewers’ assumptions and question how context and color influence our understanding of art.
He seems to be pushing viewers to question how color and context can completely shift the meaning of a piece? By changing the color of his characters’ features, is he forcing the audience to confront how their own biases shape their understanding of art?
This kind of provocative work isn't new for Slawn. Whether it's his piece Alara, Ajero and Orangun, which drew backlash for its blackface minstrelsy references, or his infamous sculptures like Ugly Bastard, Slawn thrives on creating art that pushes viewers to reflect, question, and sometimes even feel uncomfortable. He embraces the controversy, he’s not here to be liked, he’s here to provoke thought.
In spite of the controversy he sparks, his "scribbles" are selling for £31,000 at Sotheby's. Yeah, you read that right. Skepta co-curated the auction. Because why not have a grime artist curate fine art?
Slawn's Side Quests - Multiverse of Cultural Disruption
Slawn is shattering boundaries, rewriting the rules, and making history all at once. A prime example? He is the youngest and first Nigerian-born artist to design the BRIT Awards trophy. His creation was a trio of bronze figures holding their helmets which he says symbolizes his heartfelt gratitude to The Brits, blending tradition with his signature flair.
But wait, there’s more! He’s also redesigned the FA Cup trophy. Because apparently, art and sports are intertwined now. Who needs boundaries when you can crash through them?
Before all this artistic acclaim, Slawn co-founded Motherlan - a streetwear brand that has Nigerian youth hyped. "Join the cult," they say. Sounds about right. And guess what? Virgil Abloh gave it his blessing. No big deal, just fashion royalty nodding at the new kid on the block.
Oh, and he’s rubbing elbows with the big shots: A$AP Rocky, Central Cee, Wizkid; they’re all lining up for a piece of Slawn. Even Louis Vuitton wanted a collaboration because why stick to one lane when you can swerve all over the cultural highway?
Now he’s got a coffee shop: Beau Beaus Café in East London, named after his son. Celebrities hang out there - cool, I guess. Maybe he’ll serve some art with that espresso or doodle on the cups and call it a day.
Turning Everything into Art
But let’s talk about his art for a second. This guy isn’t just painting; he’s turning everything into a canvas. He’s decorated a double-decker bus, a helicopter, a Cessna airplane, a Mercedes G-wagon, a Bentley Turbo R, and even a 1974 Alfa Romeo GTV 2000. Because why not?
Beneath all those cartoonish pop figures and bold colors lies a deeper exploration of heavy themes: human psychology, politics, race, identity, colonialism; it’s all there if you bother to look. Slawn takes his Yoruba heritage and Nigerian upbringing and throws it onto the canvas in ways that make you look twice.
The Art of Not Giving a D*mn
Slawn is out here saying he doesn’t even like his own art: "I don’t even know why people want this stuff. I wouldn’t buy it," he says. Is he for real? Is it all an act? Who knows? Maybe that’s the point, maybe we’re all just pawns in Slawn’s grand game of cultural chess.
Some people think he comes off as rude; he says he’s not. Maybe he just doesn’t care what you think or maybe he cares too much. He’s appears as though he is a walking, talking painting paradox but in reality he just does whatever he wants to do.
Is Slawn a genius? A fraud? A kid who stumbled into fame? A cultural critic disguised as a carefree artist? Whatever he is, he’s making art... or maybe he isn’t. He is playing around, and people are buying it; literally and figuratively.
In Slawn's world, it's never that deep; he's just loud about it. And somehow, that's working out pretty well for him. He has the art world, fashion scene, and music industry eating out of his spray-paint-stained hands.
So what's next for Slawn? A movie? A space mission? A run for president? At this point, nothing would be surprising. He’s rewriting the rules of art, culture, and success one seemingly careless stroke at a time. And the best part? He looks like he couldn’t care less or maybe he cares the most. With Slawn, you never really know and maybe that's exactly how he likes it. What are your thoughts? Nevermind, he probably doesn't care. (or does he? 😏)
Slawn's rapid rise in the art world, coupled with his unconventional approach and apparent indifference to his own success, has made him a fascinating figure in contemporary art. Whether viewed as a genius, a provocateur, or simply a skilled self-promoter, Slawn continues to challenge perceptions and push boundaries in the art world.
Learn more about Slawn and his works here - olaoluslawn.com | efiegallery.com/slawn