Babatunde Samuel Odunlade was born on 26 November 1954 in Iremo, Ile-Ife, where he spent his childhood. His creative journey has been shaped by his innate ability, which was recognized from a young age due to his royal lineage. His oriki (panegyric) has become a significant influence in his life and artistic endeavors. After completing his primary and secondary education, Odunlade briefly worked as a salesperson in Ibadan.

However, a strong inner calling urged him to pursue the arts path. During his return to Ile-Ife, he crossed paths with Prince Adeyemi Oluwayemisi, his aunty’s husband whose pen name is Yinka Adeyemi, a renowned artist and member of the Osogbo school of arts. This encounter marked the beginning of Odunlade’s career as a second-generation artist at the school. The Osogbo school played a pivotal role in his emergence into the contemporary art space in Nigeria. In 1973, he also attended the Oguntimehin Art workshop at the University of Ife and made his first sale as an artist that same year. Ever since, he has dedicated himself to his craft, with this year marking his 50th year as a Yoruba artist extraordinaire.

Throughout his journey, Odunlade has left an indelible mark on various artistic platforms. In 1976, he contributed to the decoration of Alaafin of Oyo’s palace. He was also actively involved in dramatic presentations on radio, television, and stage. Notably, he was part of the first national drama troupe formed in Nigeria in 1976, which performed the play “Langbodo.” That same year, his artwork was displayed in the Lagos State Government House in Marina. He was a performing actor with the Nigeria Cultural Troupe that performed during FESTAC, a cultural festival held in 1977. In 1978, he held his first one-man show in Nigeria at the Federal Government College, Sokoto, and later had the same in New York in 1987. His creative endeavors expanded to include music, with five albums recorded, starting with his debut album “Bolanle” in 1986.

Photo Credit: Oluwafemi Amogunla/Al Jazeera

Tunde Odunlade is a highly accomplished print and textile artist with a rich background in exhibiting, teaching, lecturing, and studying. While studying Anthropology at Iowa State University and later at Stillman College in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Tunde honed his skills and expanded his knowledge. He served as an artist-in-residence at Stillman College in 1986 and 1989, further contributing to the artistic community. He has traveled extensively within Nigeria and throughout Africa, North America, and Europe, sharing his expertise and showcasing his art.

In 1989, Tunde took on the role of artistic director at the Toki Memorial Arts Centre in Ibadan, making a significant impact on the local art scene and contributing to the global art community. He founded the International Campaign for Better Arts and Cultural Awareness (ICBACA), a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering cultural exchange and understanding through art. As a member of the Visual Artists Network of the United States of America (VAN) and a frequent participant at the National Conference of Artists in New York, Tunde’s active engagements connect local and global art communities together.

Tunde’s art has received widespread recognition and has been showcased in numerous solo and group exhibitions. His work is housed in prestigious institutions such as the Smithsonian Museum of African Art, the World Bank Headquarters in Washington, D.C., the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, the MacArthur Foundation Collection in Chicago, and the State House in Lagos, Nigeria. Additionally, his art is cherished by private collectors across North America, Europe, and Nigeria. Beyond his artistic endeavors, Tunde is deeply committed to supporting fellow artists. The Toki Memorial Arts Centre, which he co-founded, has nurtured and propelled numerous artists to successful international careers.

Tunde’s passion for his native Nigeria is evident in his efforts to bring about positive change. In 1999, he founded the Nigerian Artists for a Nation Anew (NAFANA) to encourage artists to utilize their talents to address the country’s longstanding challenges of corruption and poverty. Through NAFANA, Tunde curated a significant exhibition titled “Artists and Nation-Building: Nigeria at 39”. Additionally, he was commissioned by the Nigerian Debt Management Office (DMO) in 2001 to curate an exhibition called “Together, We Rebuild a Nation” as part of their International Conference on Sustainable Debt and Development Strategy. This exhibition aimed to depict both the dreams for Nigeria’s future and the obstacles posed by external debt. Tunde also holds an executive position with the Association of Nigerians Against Corruption (ANAC), further highlighting his commitment to fighting corruption. He also established the Tunde Odunlade Artist Cooperative Gallery in Ibadan and its associated for-profit gallery and artist representation services, the International Center for Better Arts and Cultural Arcade (ICBACA Ltd).

Prince Tunde is an artist who specializes in traditional techniques, particularly in the batik appliqué process on textiles. One example of his innovative approach is the development of a batik appliqué process that adds depth and texture to wall hangings. Additionally, Tunde’s preferred technique for creating prints is linocuts. Recently, he has also introduced a new style called floatograph, which combines contemporary and traditional techniques of marbleizing, calligraphy, and batik to create organic abstractions.

His style incorporates elements from Yoruba history, culture, and contemporary life in Nigeria. His creations go beyond mere artistic expression and are driven by a purpose. Tunde aims to use art as a means to bridge cultural gaps and raise awareness among his own people, and the international community, about the potential and challenges faced by Nigeria.

To revive Ibadan’s declining arts and culture scene which had been affected by the declining socio-economic Nigerian life, Tunde Odunlade in 2020 launched his Tunde Odunlade Arts and Culture Connexions in the city. The center has since become the new epicenter of art and culture activities in Ibadan offering various activities such as art exhibitions, performances, poetry recitals, and dance events, and is equipped with refreshment facilities.

Prince Tunde Odunlade is widely recognized for his significant contributions to the artistic world. He has successfully bridged the gap between the local cultural creative industry and the global domain, showcasing the richness of Yoruba civilization through his remarkable work in music, drama, and graphic arts. Without a doubt, he is truly a Yoruba Artist Extraordinaire who deserves our prestigious Akinkanju badge of honor.

Reference

https://punchng.com/how-i-sold-my-first-artwork-after-rejection-osun-artist/

https://thenewsnigeria.com.ng/2020/12/13/odunlade-returns-ibadan-to-cultural-roots/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tunde_Odunlade