The Redbeaded Woman

Kolade Adekunle Oshinowo is a well-respected contemporary Nigerian painter and teacher born in Ibadan in 1948. He obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in 1972, majoring in painting. He was a teacher at King’s College, Lagos (1972-74). In 1973, he started lecturing part-time at the Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), Lagos, at the persuasion of Yusuf Grillo who assigned him to take a weekly class on pictorial composition. Eventually he joined the institution full time in 1974 and would spend the next 35 years there in service, teaching and inspiring generations of talent to become great artists. From 1990, he was the chief lecturer and director, School of Art, Design & Printing, YABATECH. Oshinowo is very passionate about his profession as an artist and believes in the unique role of art for a better society. He would instill these ideals and values upon his students making them see their profession beyond illustrations, drawing, painting and sculpting. As a prolific painter he loves exploring themes on urban life, events/activities in his surroundings and everyday life in the larger society. He is also famous for portraiture and has executed numerous portraits of famous Nigerians as private commissions. A lot of his portraits are centered on women as he likes celebrating them in a unique way, with close attention to details of the textile/fabric they wear.

The Redbeaded Woman is a portrait of beautiful woman dressed in a well-tailored native attire. Judging from the aesthetic decorations and patterns, the fabric of her outfit is probably Ankara, which is commonly used for fashion designs by women. The red bead necklace and ear ring add more glamour to the woman portrayed. Oshinowo shows his mastery in the blend of carefully selected colours of different shades in this warm and compassionate portrait which embodies naturalism in every sense and celebrates the beauty of womanhood.