Alimi Adewale (b. 1974, Lagos) is a Nigerian artist working across painting, sculpture and installation. Originally trained in mechanical engineering, he developed his artistic practice through workshops and residencies in Nigeria and abroad. His work explores urban life, cultural identity and the effects of rapid social change, often using richly textured surfaces to connect contemporary experience with African artistic traditions. In 2024, Pearl Lam Galleries announced his global representation. Artist biography

Adewale’s sculpture Mother Earth entered the permanent collection of the Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art in Nigeria in 2021. His international exhibition history includes Figuring Presence, his first solo exhibition in China, presented by Pearl Lam in Shanghai in 2026. Museum collection, Shanghai exhibition

In his Socialite series, Adewale examines the relationship between glamour, visibility and influence within Nigerian society. Fashion shows, extravagant weddings, nightlife and magazine appearances provide the backdrop to a culture in which being seen can become a source of status. His paintings question how public identities are constructed and whether the influence associated with celebrity can contribute to meaningful social change. Although his figures are faceless, their posture, clothing and bearing convey a distinctive presence, prompting viewers to consider how much personality can be perceived beyond a carefully cultivated appearance.

The choice of Aso Oke is central to this exploration. Traditionally handwoven by Yoruba weavers in southwestern Nigeria, the cloth is worn for weddings, festivals, chieftaincy ceremonies and other significant occasions. Its associations with prestige, celebration and belonging give the paintings an additional layer of meaning. By placing contemporary socialites on this culturally significant fabric, Adewale connects inherited expressions of status with today’s displays of wealth and fashion. The woven surface becomes part of the portrait, helping communicate the authority and confidence his subjects project. About the series