Tranquility

Abiodun Olawale Olaku is a contemporary Nigerian painter born in Lagos in 1958. He obtained an Ordinary National Diploma (OND) and a Higher National Diploma (HND) from the prestigious Yaba College of Technology in 1979 and 1981 respectively, majoring in painting. Over the years, Abiodun has established himself as one Nigeria’s most accomplished oil painters due to his very detailed, naturalistic expression of landscapes and Nigerian cities. His style shows meticulous attention to detail that draws every viewer closer to their imagination in reality than ever. His unique bird’s-eye rendition of landscapes shows how he has mastered his craft through utter diligence and draughtsmanship over time. Abiodun has participated in numerous exhibitions in Nigeria including the "Images of the Nigerian Nation," National Theatre, Lagos, 1990 among many others. He is a member of the Society of Nigerian Artist (SNA).

In Tranquility, Abiodun depicts dawn at a local river scene that is distant from a city. The river is surrounded on its banks by lush vegetation and trees and its mood is filled with so much calmness and serenity, a typical situation in local rivers before the resumption of usual activities during the day. Abiodun shows proficiency and excellence in his mature usage of colours for realistic expression and giving life to the painting. The setting appears very ideal for clear focus and meditation in the early hours of the morning. One could literally hear the sounds of the gentle ripples on the surface of the water and feel the freshness of the air from the surrounding trees and grasses.