Born in the Studio, Raised in the Classroom; The Double Life of Sade Adebowale

Sade Adebowale

Creativity comes as a discovery for some artists, while for Sade Adebowale, it was a way of life from the beginning. “Art felt as natural to me as breathing,” she recalls.

Long before she earned degrees in Fine and Applied Arts or began exhibiting her work, Adebowale, as a little girl, watched her father, Professor Nathaniel Oludayo Adebowale, create in his studio. Surrounded by paintings, sketches, books, and conversations about creativity.  

That early exposure to artistic practice, combined with a mother devoted to teaching and educational leadership, shaped the foundation of the artist, researcher, and educator she is today. Creativity and learning became parts of her identity, guiding a practice that continues to explore the intersections of culture and experience.

Perhaps it is no surprise that if Adebowale had not become an artist, she says she would have been an educator. That commitment to learning continues to define her practice today.

A typical day for the artist begins with observation. Research, reading, sketching, experimentation, and studio work all form part of a process that is as reflective as it is creative. Rather than rushing toward conclusions, she allows ideas to develop gradually. 

Born in Oyo Town, Oyo State, Nigeria and originally from Lagos State, Adebowale earned both a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Master of Technology degree in Fine and Applied Arts from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Oyo State, Nigeria. While her academic journey strengthened her technical and conceptual understanding of art, her deepest inspiration comes from the stories people carry and the traces they leave behind.

“My work is deeply rooted in memory, identity, and human experience,” she explains. “I am fascinated by the stories we carry, the traces we leave behind, and the ways our past continues to shape who we become.”

Working primarily in painting and mixed media, Adebowale creates richly layered compositions using materials such as newsprint, charcoal, acrylic, and textured surfaces. Her works invite viewers into visual landscapes where fragments of text, architectural forms, colour, and abstraction coexist, revealing stories that unfold gradually rather than all at once.

Among the most distinctive elements of her practice is her use of newsprint. To Adebowale, newspapers are more than everyday materials; they are repositories of memory, carrying records of lives, events, and collective experiences.

“Newsprint carries fragments of everyday life, public records, and shared memories,” she says. “By transforming these materials, I explore themes of resilience, transformation, and the beauty that can emerge from what is often overlooked or discarded.”

This philosophy is evident throughout her work. Layers of paper and paint overlap to create textured surfaces that depict the complexity of existence. Some compositions suggest urban landscapes and architectural structures, while others invite viewers to navigate stories hidden beneath the surface. Through these layers, Adebowale examines themes of belonging, cultural heritage, womanhood, and personal transformation.

As a Nigerian woman, she approaches art as both a personal and collective act of reflection. Her works often explore the spaces between forgetting and memory, strength and vulnerability, presence and absence. Rather than offering straightforward answers, she creates opportunities for contemplation and dialogue.

“I hope my work creates room for reflection and conversation,” she notes.

Beyond the studio, Adebowale remains committed to education, mentorship, and research. It is a natural extension of the values instilled by her parents and one that continues to shape her contribution to contemporary art discourse. Through teaching and creative engagement, she encourages others to think critically, embrace creativity, and engage meaningfully with culture and society.

Art to her is more than the creation of images. It is a means of preserving stories, processing thoughts, and building connections across generations. “Every piece I create is an invitation to pause, reflect, and find meaning within the layers.”

IMAGES: 1: Obiajulu, acrylic, charcoal, newsprint on canvas, 2: Passage of Light (Munich), acrylic, charcoal, newsprint on canvas, 3: Skyline Symphony, acrylic, charcoal, newsprint on canvas

By Udemma Chukwuma

Chukwuma is a freelance journalist. She contributes to The Nation Newspaper and The New Telegraph, tackling pressing issues and shedding light on untold stories. Her in-depth analysis of art and culture showcases her keen eye for detail and commitment to truth. She is the author of Left with Shadows, her debut book, published in 2020.