Visual artist John Bayode Follow.Art Card

About me

My name is John Bayode. I am a painter and draughtsman in Lagos, Nigeria. My work explores human anatomy, emotion, and the quiet complexity of daily interactions.

I've been drawing for as long as I can remember. Before I had the words to explain why, I felt the urge to create. Despite discouragement and self-doubt, I returned to art time and time again. This journey led me to Obafemi Awolowo University, where I earned a Bsc in Fine Art in 2025. What began as a childhood habit became a true calling.

My art focuses on people not just their appearance but what they carry within. I’m drawn to moments where contradiction and care coexist. For example, the person who stays beside a loved one in the hospital, despite their own discomfort. The frustration that emerges unexpectedly. The tenderness that remains through it all. These are the moments I paint.

I mainly use oil and pastel, but I also incorporate watercolor and acrylic, depending on the piece. I love impasto techniques, building thick, textured layers that feel sculptural. I’m also developing a chiaroscuro style, using dramatic light and shadow to enhance the emotional weight of my work. It’s a journey I’m committed to.

Lagos shapes me in ways I’m still exploring. Its energy, contradictions, and humanity influence my art. However, the themes I address are universal. Being human is complex and beautiful everywhere, and that’s what I aim to capture.

I am working toward an international practice, seeking opportunities to grow my skills and expand my reach beyond Lagos. I welcome connections with collectors, fellow artists, NGOs, and anyone who believes art can express what words cannot.

If my work resonates with you, I’d love to hear from you.