Babajide Olatunji

**Babajide Olatunji** (b. 1989, Port Harcourt, Nigeria) is a contemporary Nigerian visual artist known for his detailed, photorealistic charcoal and pastel drawings, particularly his series on tribal marks. He is recognized globally for his distinctive artistic style and technical mastery, having exhibited his work across multiple continents. Olatunji is a self-taught, full-time studio artist who currently lives and works in London, UK. **Early Life and Education** Babajide Olatunji was born in 1989 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. Despite his later dedication to visual arts, Olatunji initially pursued an academic path in the sciences. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Botany from the Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile-Ife, Nigeria. Following his graduation, he dedicated himself fully to studio art, developing his practice as a self-taught artist. **Career Progression and Notable Works** Olatunji's artistic career began gaining significant traction in the mid-2010s. His work is primarily characterized by hyper-realistic portraiture, often executed in charcoal and pastel on paper. A major theme in his work is the preservation of African cultural heritage, particularly evident in his critically acclaimed *Tribal Mark Series*, which documents and celebrates the traditional facial scarification practices of various Nigerian ethnic groups. Notable pieces from this body of work include *Tribal marks series II No.8, 2015* and *Tribal Mark Series IV \#7, 2016*. His international profile grew rapidly, leading to exhibitions in multiple continents. In 2017, Olatunji was selected for inclusion in a curated section of the prestigious Royal Academy Summer Show in the UK, marking a significant milestone in his career. In 2020, he completed a six-week residency at the Bridge Point Arts Centre in Hastings, UK. **Major Achievements and Current Status** Olatunji is represented by prominent galleries, including Pearl Lam Galleries and TAFETA. His works are frequently featured in major international shows, such as the exhibition *Deconfiguration\[s\]* at Pearl Lam Galleries (scheduled for November 2025 – March 2026). His portraits, such as *Portrait of Òkè as an 8-Year-Old* and *Amiya as a Young Woman*, are sought after by collectors. Babajide Olatunji continues to be an influential figure in contemporary African art. He is known for using art to provoke dialogue about identity, heritage, and the evolving narrative of the African subject in the modern world.