Babatunde-Tribe Akande

Babatunde-Tribe Akande (b. 2001) is a non-binary multidisciplinary artist, human rights artivist, researcher, and experimental documentary filmmaker based in Lagos, Nigeria. Their work explores themes of intersectionality, and they are committed to using art as a tool for social change. Babatunde-Tribe is a 2025 Bertha Foundation Artivist and the 2023 OHCHR United Nations laureate artist, having received the prestigious "International Art Contest For Minority Artists" award. They were commissioned by DAZED magazine for their Autumn 2024 "Impossible Issue." In 2024, Babatunde-Tribe served as a jury member for the logo contest to create a new visual identity for the Permanent Forum of Afro-descendants of the United Nations in 2024. They are also a 2024 Lantern Art/Space Negotiation Fellow with The Sahara Centre (Lagos) and a 2024 Nigerian Film History Workshop fellow with the Goethe-Institut Nigeria. Babatunde-Tribe's practice is characterized by immersive, emotionally charged experiences that spark introspection and social commentary. Their work spans a diverse range of media, including painting, digital art, sculpture, augmented reality, photography, and filmmaking. Through extensive research, experimentation, documentation, and artistic exploration, they navigate the intricate balance between tradition and liberation. Their work delves into the complexities of humanity and identity, addressing themes of social injustice, community, gender equality, queerness, Indigenous ancestry, environmental sustainability, and human connectivity. Babatunde-Tribe's artistic journey has evolved into a powerful platform for advocacy and social change, characterized by a thought-provoking blend of personal and historical narrative, social commentary, documentation, and a dedication to exploring intersectionality and minority rights.