Dimeji Onafuwa: Portraiture Rooted in Yoruba Aesthetics

Dimeji Onafuwa, an oil painter and design researcher from North Carolina, has been recognized as Saatchi Art's One to Watch. His portraits are characterized by vivid color fields and stark lighting, directing focus on the subjects' intense gazes to evoke deep emotions. Onafuwa earned his PhD in design from Carnegie Mellon University and has showcased his work extensively, including in the Saatchi Art Catalog. His artistic approach incorporates Yoruba concepts such as àrá (creativity), onú ijú (inner eye), and ojú ọ̀nà (design consciousness). Influenced by notable figures like Richard Diebenkorn, Nathan Oliveira, and African American artists such as Amy Sherald and Kerry James Marshall, his work delves into themes of identity and belonging. Upcoming billboard installations will be featured in Charlotte, NC, Times Square, and select European cities. He aspires to exhibit at Art Basel and contribute to the Metropolitan Museum of Art's permanent collection, recalling advice from the late Thomas James "TJ" Reddy to continue creating regardless of recognition.