Bukola Dagiloke

Biography

Bukola Dagiloke is a British born, Nigerian award winning contemporary artist with a background in information design and graphic communication. Graduating from the University of the Arts in 2006, Bukola’s love for arts has been consistent and a slow burning talent has emerged. Being the recipient of the Voices Of Tomorrow Art Award 2022 and launching into the international art world has given Bukola the ability to express and address concepts around race, identity and nature that might otherwise have gone unsaid.

What’s your background?

I'm a British born Nigerian, raised in the north of England, Manchester. I moved to London in my teen years and went to the London College of Printing, which is now the London College of Communication (UAL). I studied design and typography but found my feet in illustration many years later, a post-pandemic redescovery of my creativity. 

What does it mean to you to win the Collectors Art Prize?

I'm so honoured to be the recipient of the Collectors Art Prize. My art is my passion and to be recognised as an artist who has created work that pushes the boundaries of my medium is such a privilege. I think my work engages with social and cultural issues but to be awarded for my commentary is inspiring. To be noted as an artist that is among the most innovative and influential of our time at this stage in my career fills me with optimism and challenges me to continue to push boundaries with my work.

What do you think is the role of art in the world today?

Arts is definitely a medium for activism. There are so many conflicting ideologies and messages in our world today, for me Art is an opportunity to speak your truth and allow others to engage with discourse around topics that might otherwise be polarizing. Bringing people together around common ideas and an appreciation of creativity can break many barriers.

What would it be if you could change one thing about the art world?

I think more diverse voices and representation for emerging artists is definitely needed. Opportunities such as the Collectors Art Prize are a great way to showcase talent to the wider art community and I welcome such intiatives and would like to see more like this.

What are your most significant professional achievements?

Over the past 12 months I have been advancing with my art career and have been featured in British Vogue a number of times. Vogue's Gallery lists some of the leading contemporary artists from around the world, I was featured three times in 2022. I also had the privilege of winning the Voices of Tomorrow Art Award with Contemporary Art Curator in 2022.

What do you wish to tell viewers about your work that might not come out explicitly? What do you hope to inspire with your artwork?

For me my work is about mindfulness and wellbeing, this is a key theme behind most of the work that I produce. Being present and creating, making art accessible for all and sharing ideas that challenge, inspire and remind us of our humanity is something that might not be explicit but is definitely a constant theme.

 What advice would you give to the upcoming generation of artists?

I think art is a power tool for healing and also for social commentary. With so many challenges in society today I think it's important for the upcoming generation to start conversation about how they feel about the world that they are going to inherit and inspire healing and reconciliation for our past. There is nothing like the power of creativity to influence the human spirit towards a positive outlook.

In what direction would you like to see your career go in the next five years?

I'm working on my first solo show "Silent Voices" which will hopefully take place in London in the autumn of 2023. After the success of my debut show I would love the opportunity to curate more shows and public exhibitions around important social topics.

“Silent Voices” is an international art project that I have developed to raise awareness about the challenges of Black Women and mental health in the UK and beyond, from the lens of an African experience.

Country United Kingdom

Website www.bukoladagiloke.com