Obayomi Anthony Ayodele is a Yoruba, trans-disciplinary artist, designer, and storyteller from Lagos, Nigeria. A documentary filmmaker, photographer, and visual artist, his work centers on social justice and the preservation of cultural heritage, offering alternative perspectives on societal issues. Through his projects, Obayomi fosters dialogue and aims to promote tolerance across diverse communities.
A National Geographic Explorer and Storyteller, Obayomi holds a degree in Visual Arts from the University of Lagos (2017). His laurels include winning the National Geographic Portfolio Review Prize at the LagosPhoto Festival (2017) and receiving the Taurus Prize for Visual Arts (2019/2020). He has been shortlisted for prestigious awards such as the Magnum Social Justice and Photography Fellowship (2018), the Foam Paul Huf Award (2020), and the C/O Berlin Talent Award (2021). His work has been showcased globally, including at the National Geographic Storytellers Summit, BredaPhoto Festival, and LagosPhoto Festival.
Obayomi’s research and creative practice interrogate the intersections of identity, indigeneity, and post-coloniality, challenging conventional understandings of collective histories, environments, and futures. He has spoken at institutions such as Yale University’s Beinecke Rare Books and Manuscripts Library, the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Institute of African Studies at the University of Ibadan.
My work and portfolio can be found at www.obayomianthony.com. I shared my work and political ideas on the Sweet Medicine podcast by Immaculata Abba. Additionally, my photography and activism are featured in the documentary film Coconut Head Generation by Alain Kassanda and a number of publications