Tayo Adenaike

Tayo Adenaike (born 1954) is a Nigerian painter.

A native of Idanre, Adenaike is of Yoruba parentage. In 1967 he was first introduced to formal instruction in arts at Federal Government College, located in Warri, in the present Delta State. He won second prize in the All Nigeria Secondary School National Art Workshop held at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. This accomplishment among other things encouraged Adenaike to continue studying art at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, with Obiora Udechukwu. Here he received his bachelor's degree in 1979 and his master's of fine arts in 1982. That same here he became the director of Maan Ltd, an advertising agency in Enugu. In 1984, Adenaike co-founded and was Creative Director of Dawn Functions Nigeria Ltd. Professionally, Adenaike has mainly worked in advertising, serving as artistic director of a firm in Enugu. He paints at night and on weekends, and travels annually to the United States.

Adenaike's preferred medium is watercolor, into which he incorporates numerous uli designs; more recently, he has begun adding nsibidi motifs to his paintings. His designs are complex, and tend to be based on personal themes; much of his work is topical and deeply personal. Many also draw themes from his Yoruba childhood.

As a painter, Adenaike has said that he views himself as a successor to fellow Nsukka artists Uche Okeke and Chike Aniakor.

Tayo Adenaike has held eighteen solo exhibitions and participated in many joint and group exhibitions in Nigeria, United States, England and Germany.

References

• Bio from the National Museum of African Art