Jimoh Bola Akolo (1934 – June 3, 2023) was a Nigerian artist known for his contributions to modern Nigerian art, particularly as a member of the Zaria Art Society. His work often explored indigenous cultural traditions and contemporary social issues.

Early life and education

Akolo spent his early years in Egbe, Kogi State, where he completed his primary education. Akolo attended Government College Keffi, where he excelled in art, leading him to pursue further studies at the Nigerian College of Arts, Science, and Technology (NCAST), now

Ahmadu Bello University The Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) is a public research university located in Zaria, Nigeria, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria. It was opened in 1962 as the University of Northern Nigeria. The university has four colleges, three schools, 18 faculties, ...

, Zaria. At NCAST, Akolo was a part of the Zaria Art Society, alongside notable artists like Yusuf Grillo and

Bruce Onobrakpeya Bruce Obomeyoma Onobrakpeya (born 30 August 1932) is a Nigerian printmaker, painter and sculptor. He has exhibited at the Tate Modern in London, the National Museum of African Art of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., and the Mal ...

. He later studied at Hornsey College of Art in London and obtained his MSc and doctorate in Art Education from Indiana State University in Bloomington, USA. Akolo was also a professor at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he taught for over three decades.

Career

Akolo's made indigenous Nigerian motifs with contemporary art styles, a method based on the Zaria Art Society's "Natural Synthesis" ideology. He was part of the Visual Arts Exhibition of

FESTAC 77 Festac '77, also known as the Second World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture (the first festival took place in Dakar, 1966, the second in Algiers in July 1969) was a major international festival held in Lagos, Nigeria, from 15 Januar ...

. His works have been exhibited internationally, including notable exhibitions at the

Commonwealth Institute The Commonwealth Education Trust was a registered charity established in 2007 as the successor trust to the Commonwealth Institute. The trust focuses on primary and secondary education and the training of teachers and invests on educational pr ...

in London (1964), the

São Paulo Biennial SAO or Sao may refer to: Places * Sao civilisation, in Middle Africa from 6th century BC to 16th century AD * Sao, a town in Boussé Department, Burkina Faso * Serb Autonomous Regions (''Srpska autonomna oblast'', SAO), during the breakup of ...

in Brazil (1962), and the

Havana Biennial The Bienal de La Habana was a traditional Latin, Caribbean event, originated in Havana, Havana, Cuba, that aims to raise awareness to promote contemporary art and giving priority to Latin Americans, Latin-American and Caribbean artists. The eve ...

in Cuba (1986).

Works

* "Owambe" - 2013 (oil on canvas) * "Wrestling Match" - 2000 * "Man on Horse" - 1996 * "War, Red War" - 1996 * "Horse Man II" - 1995 (pencil on paper) * "Milk Maid" (Fura da Nono) - 1998 * "Dambe" (Native Boxing) - 1998 * "Mother and Child" - 1998 * "Horn Blowers from Southern Kaduna Welcoming the Governor" - 1984/1986 * "Test of Manhood" (Sharo) - 1982 * "Durbar" (pencil on paper) * "Farm Worker" - 1970 * "The God of Thunder" - 1964 (oil on canvas, Yoruba influence) * "The Model" - 1961 (pencil on paper)

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Akolo, Jimoh 1934 births 2023 deaths Nigerian artists Ahmadu Bello University alumni Indiana State University alumni Nigerian educators People from Kogi State