Loma Linda artist taps her cultural background to create art - Press-Enterprise

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Adeola Davies-Aiyeloja has long loved making things with her hands.

Longtime Loma Linda resident Adeola Davies-Aiyeloja calls her work “contemporary expressionism with Africanism flair.” (Photo courtesy of Adeola Davies-Aiyeloja)

“I remember my middle-school teacher encouraging me when she saw my doodles,” said Davies-Aiyeloja, who was born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria.  “That interest stayed with me and blossomed over the years.”

Davies-Aiyeloja emigrated to the United States in 1981 so that she could further her education. Her intention was not, however, to study art. But over the years that early interest has continued to blossom.

Now Davies-Aiyeloja is a popular artist who works in multiple mediums. The first place she publicly exhibited her work was the National Orange Show, where she won an honorable mention. Since then she has received numerous awards, with her work being seen in galleries and museums throughout Southern California, as well as in Mexico.

While over the years, the longtime Loma Linda resident has taken classes and workshops with artists that she admires, Davies-Aiyeloja is mostly self taught and her unique style is something she has developed herself.

“I would describe my art as contemporary expressionism with Africanism flair,” she said. “I have painted different genres and my current area of concentration is abstract expressionism.”

“Owl Kindred Spirits I,” is a piece by Loma Linda artist Adeola Davies-Aiyeloja. (Photo by Adeola Davies-Aiyeloja)

Davies-Aiyeloja said her cultural background has played a large role in her art.

“I am inspired by nature and the beautiful things around us,” she said. “I love to go hiking or jogging and take in nature. The breath of fresh air, blooming flowers, plants and rushing waters keep me grounded with inspiration.”

Some of Davies-Aiyeloja’s favorite exhibitions have been “The Bouquet Show” at Roswell Space in Los Angeles, “Images of Black Culture, Life and History” by the Inland Empire African American Chamber of Commerce at the San Bernardino County Museum and a solo show in February at the Progress Gallery in Pomona.

Her work is also regularly seen on the sets of such television shows as NBC’s “The Others,” ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy” and “black-ish” and HBO’s “Insecure.”

“I have been working with a company for over two decades that serves as my agent with the production companies who rent art for film and television,” she said. “It brings me joy to see my work on prominent shows and films. It has been long time coming. As an artist we have to explore different platforms to get our work out there beyond traditional galleries and show exhibitions.”

“Abstracted Footprints” is a piece by Loma Linda artist Adeola Davies-Aiyeloja. (Photo by Adeola Davies-Aiyeloja)

In addition to painting and printmaking, Davies-Aiyeloja is a metal smith and enamelist who creates wearable art. The one-of-a-kind jewelry that she makes has been widely collected.

Beyond her work as an artist, Davies-Aiyeloja has been deeply involved in her community. From 1992 through 1998, she was part of the African American Summerfest and its special youth exhibition, “Tomorrow’s Masters,” which would honor youth from kindergarten through 12th grade. She was also a member of the task force committee that developed the recent San Bernardino County cultural plan.

Information: https://www.instagram.com/adeolastudio_art, https://www.facebook.com/Adeola-Studio

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Loma Linda artist taps her cultural background to create art - Press-Enterprise
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