CV
Last Updatated : Oct 2023
Education
2021 Bard College Annandale-on-Hudson, NY
B.A., Studio Arts
Work Experience
2023 Curator, Omola Studio
2022 Studio Manager, Tschabalala Self Studio
2021 Studio Assistant, Tschabalala Self Studio
Contract Work
2023 Artist Liaison, Zona Maco, Jupiter Contemporary
2022 Artist Liaison, NADA Miami, Jupiter Contemporary
Grants and Awards
2023 Liquitex Material Award, Liquitex Artist Residency, Piscataway, NJ
2021 Senior Studio Arts Award, Bard College, Annandale-on-Hudson, NY
2020 Heart Hudson, Hudson, NY
2020 Red Bull Microgrant (Mid-Hudson Valley)
2020 Milton Sally Avery Arts Scholar, Bard College, Annandale-on-Hudson, NY
2017 Posse Foundation Scholar, Bard College, Annandale-on-Hudson, NY
Solo Exhibitions
2021 In Response To (This Should Not Be Political), Annandale-on-Hudson, NY
Group Exhibitions
2023 Block and Bridges, Creative Arts Workshop, New Haven, CT
2023 Sounds of the Soul, Wabi Gallery (curated by Kim Weston), New Haven, CT
2022 Reshaped and Refocused, Creative Arts Workshop, New Haven, CT (with Amira Brown & Greg Aime)
2021 Subversion, KIPP Gallery, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Indiana, PA
2021 Interstice, The Residency Project x MOTOR, Los Angeles, CA
2021 Almost Endless, Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art, Altoona, PA
2021 Commencement Show, Bard College, Annandale-on-Hudson, NY
2021 Go Figure, Annandale-on-Hudson, NY (curated by Kimbrielle Boult)
2020 Together in Isolation, Re Institute, Millerton, NY
Curatorial
2023 FUSION, Wabi Gallery, New Haven, CT
2023 Geographies, Artspace/Creative Arts Workshop, New Haven, CT
2023 The Past Pushes Forward, the Blake Hotel Gallery, New Haven, CT
2023 May Brings Flowers: Memories Are Yours, the Blake Hotel Gallery, New Haven, CT
2023 APRiL: Artists Prospering Really is Limitless, Omola Studio, New Haven, CT
Artist Talk/ Panel
2023 FUSION Artist Talk; in conversation with Jeff Ostergren & Sain’t Phifer, New Haven, CT
2020 BIPOC Art Celebration, virtual
Press
2023 “Artists Build Worlds At CAW Show”
New Haven Arts Paper (Oct 4, 2023)[online]
2023 “Blocks And Bridges” Binds Past, Present, & Future”
New Haven Arts Paper (Oct 4, 2023)[online]
2023 “Photography & Pharmaceuticals In Wábi Gallery’s "FUSION"”
New Haven Arts Paper (Sep 14, 2023) [online]
2023 “Nyberg: Blake Hotel brings two-part exhibition to New Haven”
WTNH NEWS8(Jun 16, 2023) [online]
2023 “Omola Studio Brings Art To The Blake“
New Haven Independent (Jul 27, 2023)
2023 “Exhibition Reshaping New Haven’s Art Scene”
NHTV NEWS 8 (Jun 8, 2023) [online]
2023 “Artists Get Personal In Newhallville Show”
New Haven Independent (Apr 23, 2023) [online]
2022 “Mining Themes From Parable Of The Sower, Artists (Re)focus On The Future”
New Haven Independent (Jun 28, 2022) [online]
2022 “At CAW, Artists Commune With Octavia Butler”
New Haven Arts Paper (Jun 28, 2022) [online]
BIO
Moshopefoluwa Olagunju, explores themes surrounding identity, power dynamics, and unconventional representations of the body. He was awarded the Milton Sally Avery Arts Scholar award in 2020 and the Senior Studio Arts award in 2021 as a Studio Arts graduate from Bard College. Moshopefoluwa's artwork has been exhibited at venues such as Susan B. Hilles Gallery in New Haven, the Kipp Gallery in Pennsylvania, and The Residency Project x Motor in Los Angeles.
Statement
I employ mixed media collaging techniques on canvas to explore themes of identity, power dynamics, and unconventional representations of the body. Through deliberate choices in color, materials, mediums, non-linear narratives, recurring motifs and symbols serve as metaphors, drawing connections to the act of 'spilling one's guts' or 'wearing one's heart on their sleeve.' The use of bowels and guts, often associated with profound emotions and compassion in religious texts, imbues my work with layers of meaning. I refer to these expressions as 'inner landscapes.' In my recent series 'Blue & Yellow,' I am fascinated by the storytelling and interpretative possibilities within each piece and across the series as a whole. The arrangement of the paintings becomes significant, as it can alter interpretations and provoke reflections on the depicted figures, thereby influencing the viewer's experience. In this process, my role as the artist extends beyond creation to include the curation of the artwork. Through careful arrangement, I shape narratives and invite viewers into a dynamic exploration of emotions and perspectives.