Adéwálé Adénlé

Adéwálé (Wálé) Adénlé blurs boundaries among the visual arts and other fields of study to create bodies of three-dimensional paintings that explore dual realities and logics in cultural-political constructs and systems. Within these dualities, he induces slippages between objects/forms and their contexts to deconstruct dominant socio-political norms and historical narratives. His paintings and drawings are critically grounded on intentional interdisciplinarity, and they invite viewers to unload and search for multiple logics in their interpretations. Adénlé has exhibited his paintings and drawings on three continents and has taught visual arts in several universities and K-12 programs in the US. Between 1986 and 2007, his works on critical aesthetics and political satire were published daily in various newspapers in Nigeria, the UK, and the US, culminating in the publication of his book, Mixed Feelings (2000), which documents his cartoons and illustrations on socio-political concerns across the globe. Adénlé was the recipient of the 2000 Reuters Foundation Award in the UK, 2021 Robert and Phyllis Iles Award from the Center for the Study of Religion at The Ohio State University and the 2022 Benetta Jules-Rosette Doctoral Award from the Association of Africanist Anthropology—a section of the American Anthropological Association. He also has worked on several public projects, including the towering murals for the Philadelphia, PA International Airport, and Aurora Community Center, CO, and the 13ft. x 8ft. cast bronze sculpture entitled Congo Square (2010), which is installed in Louis Armstrong Park, in New Orleans, LA. Adénlé obtained his MA in museum studies in 2010, and in 2012, he received his MFA in painting and drawing. He is currently a PhD candidate in Arts Administration, Education, and Cultural Policy at the Ohio State University (OSU).