Artist Ife Olowu Goes Global Infusing AR with Culture, Captivating Audiences Worldwide
- Mar 15
- 5 min read
Lagos Artist Mixes AR Tech with Yoruba Roots for Global Impact
Some artists stick to canvas and brushes, but Lagos native Ife Olowu does not. He layers augmented reality onto his traditional paintings, so a phone scan brings them to life.
Early Days in Lagos
Ifeoluwa Oluwaseun Olowu grew up in Lagos, Nigeria. He started drawing as a kid, copying cartoons and comic books. His mom, a textile artist at Yaba College of Technology, got him into the art department there. He did primary and secondary school at Yabatech, then headed to the University of Lagos for a degree in visual arts, focusing on painting. He graduated around 2017.
School wasn't just classes for him. During the 2013 ASUU strike, his mom pushed him to learn printing. That side hustle funded his art supplies since materials cost a lot. He printed T-shirts and posters for classmates, outsourcing to markets when needed. By NYSC in 2018-2019 at Bichi Academy in Kano, he was art directing too.
Blending Paint and Tech
What sets Olowu apart is augmented reality, or AR. He's called the first Nigerian artist to mix it into fine art. You scan a barcode on his painting with your phone, and it activates sounds, movement, stories. No magic; he paints with oil and acrylic, snaps a high-res photo, then adds effects in AR software.
His first collection, "Colored Reality," has eight paintings with AR. It came out years back and still sells for exhibitions. Now at 27 or so, he runs Global House of Designs as creative director since 2016. Lately, he's a digital innovation specialist at Carbin Africa, working on AI, blockchain, UI for their site.
Key Works That Stand Out
Take "Identity." It's a Yoruba woman with tribal marks, those old scars for beauty and ID. Scan it, and bata drums play while marks dance. He showed it at Spectrum in London, November 2024, at Casild Contemporary.
"Rawani" nods to Hausa culture from Kano's Durbar festival. A turbaned figure; AR adds algaita flute sounds. "Makoko" captures Lagos' stilt slum, shown at ArtMiabo Festival in 2025. These pull from Yoruba memory, northern vibes, urban life.
Spotlight from CNN and Beyond
CNN featured him in 2023. They showed how he brings pieces to life with tech, calling it art of the future. He mentioned it in a recent Instagram reel while prepping a solo show. BBC Igbo asked if viewers had seen paintings that sing.
Exhibitions keep coming. Spectrum London, Naija Art in Switzerland, Ijo Ibile solo in UK, Diverse Perspectives in Lagos, Nigeria Re-Envisioned in Finland, all 2024. ArtMiabo 2025 too. He's project managing for a London gallery from Lagos.
Hustle and Real Talk
Olowu pulls no punches on the grind. Art doesn't always pay bills, so he advises young grads to side-hustle, curate, or manage galleries. Full-time painting is risky without sales. He pays taxes on art deals but says Nigeria tracks few. Galleries split 50-50 or worse; negotiate smart.
He dislikes secrecy in Nigerian art. Musicians flaunt wins; artists hide, so folks think they're broke. IP theft bugs him, photos copied for banners. He posts low-res or videos now. AI copies less, but he sees it as curation, not soul like human emotion.
On labels, CNN called him Nigerian artist, not just Yoruba. Fine by him. Collaborations? Tricky if one-sided, but he did fashion with THEOs, NGO Arts for Health for cancer aid.
Looking Ahead
Olowu wants government spaces for cheap exhibits, better materials, curatorial training. He's building an education platform for tech art, affordable with free intros. Next solo looms; he thinks future-present merge.
In Lagos traffic or London galleries, his work bridges old and new. Scan it, hear drums or flutes, feel the story clear. That's Olowu: straightforward innovator keeping culture kicking.
Ife Olowu Biography
Ifeoluwa Oluwaseun Olowu is a visual artist based in Lagos, Nigeria whose new creative development of bringing his art to life through Augmented Reality (AR) is progressively becoming a global desire. Ifeoluwa was born in Lagos, Nigeria and he attended Yaba College of Technology primary and secondary school where he received his early education. His enthusiasm for art increased as he watched cartoons, movies, and read comic books as a child, and at the tender age of 10, he started drawing inspiration from comic books and the natural world. This enthusiasm was nurtured throughout his childhood and deepened when he decided to pursue his Bachelor’s degree in Visual Arts at the esteemed University of Lagos, where he majored in painting. Ife's artistic technique evolved into an expressionist one that mixes drawing, designs, and paints to produce aesthetically appealing works as he later delved deeper into painting and developed his printing and design talents. He started researching Augmented Reality and the potential for engaging with conventional art in live form as a result of his passion of colors, new concepts, and shape. The brilliance of Ifeoluwa's work has attracted attention on a global scale. His art has been featured prominently by renowned news outlets such as CNN, BBC, Reuters, Voice of Africa, TV5 Monde, Channels, Vanguard newspaper, Punch newspaper, Yahoo and more. Through his visionary approach, Ifeoluwa Oluwaseun Olowu is redefining the possibilities of art, captivating audiences around the world with his breathtaking creations.
Artist Ife Olowu Statement
In my artistic journey, self-expression takes center stage. Through the vibrant and vivid palette of colors, I immerse my audience in a world of emotions, moods, and feelings. My experimentation with various art forms allows me to push the boundaries of creativity, yet I find myself most at home working with paints. Each brushstroke becomes a reflection of my inner voice, creating pieces that resonate with the essence of human experiences. The interplay of colors and textures breathes life into my canvases, inviting viewers to journey beyond the surface and connect with the depth of the art. My artistic process is a dance of intuition and intention, allowing ach piece to unfold organically while still being guided by a purposeful vision. I seek to leave a lasting impression on those who encounter my work, evoking a sense of wonder and a glimpse into the complexity of human existence. As I continue to explore the vast realm of artistic expression, I am drawn to the profound impact art has on the human soul. My aspiration is for my art to become a vessel through which viewers can find solace, inspiration, and a shared understanding of the human condition. For more, follow him on Youtube.com