Iwalewa Gallery

Babatunde Kesa , , Nigeria.

Babatunde Kesa is an award-winning Nigerian painter celebrated for his bold, vibrant palettes and expressive style. Born in Lagos, Nigeria, he discovered his passion for art early and pursued formal training at Auchi Polytechnic, Edo State, where he graduated as the Overall Best Student with a Higher National Diploma in Painting, awarded with distinction. Influenced by colorists and abstract expressionists,...

Babatunde Kesa is an award-winning Nigerian painter celebrated for his bold, vibrant palettes and expressive style. Born in Lagos, Nigeria, he discovered his passion for art early and pursued formal training at Auchi Polytechnic, Edo State, where he graduated as the Overall Best Student with a Higher National Diploma in Painting, awarded with distinction.

Influenced by colorists and abstract expressionists, Babatunde's work draws inspiration from his environment, life experiences, and aspirations. His paintings are more than visual expressions, they are instruments of awakening, designed to guide viewers toward higher levels of consciousness and fresh perspectives on life.

Babatunde has exhibited extensively both locally and internationally. His solo shows include Connections in Washington State, USA, Fragment of Time at Ogirikan Art Gallery in Lagos (2025), and The Awakening at Gallery at the Landmark, Lagos (2022). He has also participated in numerous group exhibitions, such as Black History Month in London, the Miniatures Art Fair in Lagos, and international showcases in India. His long-standing involvement with the Araism Movement highlights his commitment to collaborative and experimental art practices.

His dedication has been recognized with multiple awards, including Best Graduating Student in Painting and the Rector's Certificate of Excellence from Auchi Polytechnic. He has also participated in prestigious residencies such as the Fate V "Simply 9ja" program at Alexis Galleries and OYASAF in Lagos.

Through his art, Babatunde Kesa continues to push boundaries, inviting audiences into transformative encounters with color, form, and meaning. His work stands as a testament to the power of creativity to inspire, provoke thought, and leave a lasting impact on the global art scene.

BABATUNDE KESA 's Artworks
Abstract Portrait I, 2022

Babatunde Kesa

The artist deconstructs the human form into an array of bold shapes and colors. This piece blurs the line between portraiture and abstraction, inviting viewers to question traditional perceptions of identity and fragility.

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The Conversation, 2008

Babatunde Kesa

Two faces gaze out from a collage of symbols, suggesting a silent dialogue. The piece explores the complex nature of human connection and the unspoken threads that weave together memory, fragility, and shared history.

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Olusegun Obasanjo, 2016

Babatunde Kesa

A masterful portrait that captures the profound intellect and quiet dignity of its subject. Through layers of warm, luminous pigment, the artist conveys a sense of enduring legacy and introspective power, inviting contemplation on a life dedicated to service.

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The Weaver, 2008

Babatunde Kesa

The artist captures a figure immersed in a world of intricate patterns and textures. The work is a tribute to the beauty of craft and the quiet focus required to create something meaningful, a symbol of heritage.

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Dignity, 2008

Babatunde Kesa

A seated figure is rendered with a textured, layered background. The work exudes a sense of quiet strength and dignity, a masterful study of human presence and the rich tapestry of memory and resilience.

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The Players, 2016

Babatunde Kesa

A minimalist landscape with figures engaged in a game. The artist captures the essence of childhood play and imagination through a sparse, yet evocative composition that highlights the quiet beauty of a shared moment.

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Checkered Future, 2022

Babatunde Kesa

A figure in a bold checkered shirt is depicted with a fragmented, abstract background. The pattern symbolizes the unpredictable nature of life, a visual metaphor for navigating a complex and uncertain path.

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Future Vision, 2022

Babatunde Kesa

A figure in stark, modern sunglasses is rendered against a vibrant background. This work speaks to contemporary identity, exploring themes of perception and the future through a bold and unapologetic palette.

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Digital Meditation, 2022

Babatunde Kesa

The artist uses a bold, geometric style to render a figure in a state of quiet reflection. This piece explores the intersection of technology and introspection, contrasting hard edges with soft human imagination.

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Sounds Of The City, 2022

Babatunde Kesa

This striking portrait captures a moment of modern solitude, headphones on. The abstract shapes and textures surrounding the figure suggest the visual echoes of sound and the personal, insulated space of memory.

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Dreamscape, 2022

Babatunde Kesa

Abstract shapes and colors form a dreamlike composition, suggesting a human presence emerging from the subconscious. The work is a powerful exploration of the boundary between reality and imagination.

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Abstract Portrait Ii, 2022

Babatunde Kesa

A dynamic composition where a human form emerges from a cascade of warm, earthy tones and cool blues. The work captures a sense of powerful movement and a quiet, hidden narrative.

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Shadows Of Contemplation, 2022

Babatunde Kesa

The face is obscured by a deep shadow, drawing the viewer's attention to a cascade of vibrant color. This piece speaks to the beauty of the unknown and the poetic space of memory and imagination.

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Daydream, 2016

Babatunde Kesa

Two figures are captured in a tender, intimate moment of rest. The soft, gentle light and muted colors evoke a sense of quietude and calm, celebrating the simplicity and fragility of shared human connection and imagination.

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The Weight Of A Thought, 2016

Babatunde Kesa

A contemplative profile emerges from a vibrant, painterly chaos. The rich texture and layered colors suggest the complexity of the subject's inner world, a profound moment of memory or deep thought made visible.

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Serenity, 2016

Babatunde Kesa

This portrait radiates an aura of peaceful introspection. With closed eyes and a soft expression, the subject embodies a moment of serene silence, inviting the viewer to share in a private world of tranquility and inner peace.

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The Race, 2016

Babatunde Kesa

Dynamic and blurred, the figures in this painting convey the thrilling speed of competition. The ground lines and abstract forms suggest a moment caught in time, celebrating the energy and focused determination of the athletes.

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Resilience, 2016

Babatunde Kesa

A dazzling smile breaks through a symphony of expressive color. This portrait is a beacon of human warmth, a powerful representation of resilience and optimism in the face of life's complex tapestry.

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Joyful Dance, 2016

Babatunde Kesa

The playful energy of a child is captured through lively brushstrokes and a vibrant palette. This piece evokes the pure, uninhibited joy of youth and the timeless beauty of cultural expression through movement and imagination.

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On Her Way, 2016

Babatunde Kesa

The artist uses a warm, expressive palette to highlight a figure in motion. The confident posture and rhythmic lines of the work convey a sense of quiet determination, celebrating the beauty found in everyday purpose.

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A Moment Of Reflection, 2016

Babatunde Kesa

Bathed in a fragmented light, this portrait captures a profound moment of contemplation. The subject is immersed in a world of vibrant, abstract colors, suggesting an inner landscape as rich and complex as the external reality.

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Weight Of Heritage, 2016

Babatunde Kesa

The strength of a woman is portrayed through a masterful display of balance and grace. Her gaze, though obscured, speaks volumes, suggesting a quiet fortitude as she carries the metaphorical and literal weight of tradition.

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Morning Commute, 2016

Babatunde Kesa

With dynamic, impressionistic brushstrokes, the artist captures a fleeting moment of everyday life in motion. The rider's forward momentum is palpable, a quiet symbol of daily resilience and the purposeful journey toward a new day's horizon.

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