Yusuf Grillo: Expressions of Yoruba Culture

Grillo was born in 1934 and brought up in Lagos' urban settlement historically christened 'Brazilian Quarters.' Having Yoruba (Egba) and Brazilian roots, he identifies himself as “Egba-Brazillian”. 

Grillo learned about art as a child in Lagos, thanks to the influence of his then-peripatetic teacher, Aina Onabolu, a pioneer of modern art in Nigeria.

In 1956, Grillo went on to the Nigerian College of Art Science and Technology (NCAST), Zaria, where he received his Fine Art diploma and later his postgraduate education diploma. Grillo and his contemporaries received a "Western" art education.

This, combined with the yearning for independence inspired Grillo and his contemporaries in Zaria to propagate an ideology called “Natural synthesis” which is a fusion of local content with western art techniques and style. With this goal in mind, Yusuf Grillo along with others like Uche Okeke, Demas Nwoko, Bruce Onobrakpeya, Simon Okeke and Jimoh Akolo, formed the Zaria Art Society.

Yusuf Grillo incorporates Yoruba traditional elements in his paintings to achieve his goal of "natural synthesis." His works are often compared to Yoruba sculptural wood figures, which is most likely where he gets his figurative inspiration.

Since his subjects consistently mirror the Yoruba culture and people, they are often dressed in the traditional “iro” and “buba” for females and the males, in “Agbada” attires. Grillo depicts them carrying out mundane activities, making merry, in festive and religious scenes or simply striking poses.

His affinity for the colour blue is also reminiscent of his Yoruba heritage as it resembles ‘adire’ common among the Yorubas in Nigeria. A distinctive favour for the colour blue often complemented by purples and greenish blues give away his regularly vibrant and sometimes subdued pallet.

Grillo's works are characterized by abstract depictions of the human figure that suggest geometry in their form and attire, producing an atmosphere that conveys a stained glass effect all within prosaic Yoruba culture compositions.

Today, Grillo is head of the School of Art and Printing at Yaba College of Technology in Lagos. He was instrumental in bringing together the College's enviable academic art program. Grillo is also the founding president and fellow of the Society of Nigerian Artists (SNA). While pursuing his academic goals, Grillo kept up a vigorous art practice, exhibiting and selling his work both in Nigeria and abroad.