Tayo Adenaike

Tayo Adenaike (born 1954) is a Nigerian painter.

A native of Idanre, Adenaike is of Yoruba parentage, and studied art with Obiora Udechukwu at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Here he received his bachelor's degree in 1979 and his master's of fine arts in 1982. 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.

References

* [http://africa.si.edu/exhibits/tayo.htm Bio from the National Museum of African Art]