Volery Gallery is proud to present A Fragile Balance, the first solo exhibition in the Middle East of Lagos-born painter Ojo Ayotunde (b. 1995).
In this new body of work, Ayotunde deepens his exploration of liminal space, reimagining environments filled with ambiguity and uncertainty while reflecting on the shifting human condition. His canvases dissolve the line between the tangible and the intangible, navigating identity, memory, and lived space as ever-changing terrains. Ruptures and distortions run through the compositions, interrupting the calm solitude of his figures. More than stylistic gestures, these breaks capture an atmosphere where stability feels fragile and the future unsettled. Each painting embodies the delicate balance between fragility and resilience, mirroring the precariousness of contemporary life. Through warm, muted palettes and figures in relaxed, contemplative postures, Ayotunde creates moments of quiet intensity that speak directly to the intimacy of human experience.
Beginning with fragments of the familiar, such as a room, a figure, or a threshold, the artist allows memory and intuition to reshape what is seen. These works transcend simple representation to offer a poetic meditation on what is, what was, and what might be. The result is a practice that invites collectors into a highly personal, yet universal, space where solitude, memory, and resilience converge.
Ojo Ayotunde lives and works in Lagos. He holds a degree in Fine Art and Graphic Design from Yaba College of Technology in Lagos, which he received in 2018. His practice reflects on the intensity of human relationships, solitude, and the silent dialogue between self and space. Often depicting himself, family, and close friends, his paintings combine oil, acrylic, pastel, and charcoal with a restrained palette to create works that are at once melancholic and deeply resonant. His career has already gained significant international visibility, with exhibitions at Harper’s Books in East Hampton, Future Fair in New York, Dida Gallery in Abidjan, Ko Gallery in Lagos, Rele Gallery in Lagos, and Maruani Mercier Gallery in Belgium. In Dubai, his work was previously featured in the group exhibition Domesticity at Volery Gallery in 2021, marking the beginning of a strong connection with the region.
With A Fragile Balance, Volery Gallery brings Ayotunde’s distinctive vision to the Middle East for the first time. These works represent an important opportunity for collectors to acquire paintings by a young artist whose voice is increasingly recognized on the international stage, and whose ability to capture the beauty and complexity of the human condition places him firmly among the most compelling painters of his generation.
Exhibition Dates:
October 23 - November 19, 2025
For inquiries and to register interest on the Preview List please email info@volerygallery.com