Figurative Painter | Opeyemi Matthew Olukotun

Sep 10, 2025
3 min read

Updated: Sep 27, 2025

Opeyemi Matthew Olukotun, a Nigerian-born, Canada-based figurative painter.

“My practice revolves around migration, identity, resilience, and the search for belonging. I was born in Nigeria, and though my roots remain there, I now call the Canadian prairies home.”

Q: In your bio it says that you went from being a teacher to pursuing a full-time career in the visual arts. Can you briefly share what inspired that bold transition?

Teaching was a meaningful part of my journey, but I always felt a deeper pull toward painting. Art has always been central to who I am, it was never just a hobby, but a language I couldn’t ignore. I knew the practice needed my undivided attention. The transition happened when I realized that I wanted to fully dedicate myself to art. It was bold, yes, but it felt like stepping into the life I was truly meant to live.

Q: When you’re not in your studio, what else do you spend your time on, what other interests do you have?

I enjoy playing chess, reading, and exploring new environments. I also love connecting with people and having conversations that dig into culture, identity, or just the everyday human experience. These interests feed into my art in surprising ways, they sharpen my intuition, my patience, and my ability to see different perspectives.

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Q: How was the exhibit at Art Gallery of Southwestern Manitoba different from your other work?

That exhibition gave me a chance to situate my personal narratives of migration and belonging within a broader Canadian context. While my earlier works focused heavily on memory and experiences rooted in Nigeria, the AGSM show leaned more into themes of displacement, resilience, and emotional settlement. It was less about place and more about the inner landscapes of migration, how identity is reshaped in moments of transition.

Q: Who has been an influential figure in your artistic journey?

I’ve been fortunate to learn from and be mentored by remarkable Nigerian artists like Abiodun Olaku, Bunmi Babatunde, Edosa Oguigo, Wallace Ejoh, and Joshua Nmesirionye. Each of them influenced not just my technique, but also the discipline, patience, and courage needed to grow as an artist. Their guidance helped me see art not just as a skill, but as a lifelong commitment.

Q: How do you overcome creative blocks?

For me, creative blocks often signal the need to pause, reflect, and absorb. I usually step away from the canvas, play chess, take a walk, or just observe the world around me. Sometimes I go back to sketching, although, I do this everyday without pressure, letting my hand move freely until new ideas surface. It’s about trusting the process and giving myself permission to slow down until the spark returns.

Q: What upcoming projects or exhibitions are you most excited about? What themes or techniques do you want to explore next?

I am currently working on a new body of work titled My New Home. It expands on themes of migration, identity, and belonging, but this time through the lens of prairie landscapes. I want to explore how vastness, openness, and solitude can mirror the inner experience of settling into a new place. In terms of technique, I am experimenting with layering, expressive anatomy lines, and a more intimate dialogue between figure and landscape. It feels like the start of a new chapter in my practice.