Modupeola Fadugba (b. 1985 in Lomé, Togo) is a Nigerian multi-media artist whose practice involves painting, drawing, and socially engaged installation. The self-taught artist comfortably inhabits the nexus of many disciplines. She holds a Bachelor in Chemical Engineering from the University of Delaware, a Masters in Economics from the University of Delaware, and a Masters in Education from Harvard University. Modupeola has lived in the US, the UK, Rwanda, and Tanzania and currently lives in Ibadan, Nigeria. Modupeola’s artworks explore cultural identity, social justice, game theory, and the art world within the socio-political landscape of Nigeria and our greater global economy. Fadugba’s recent practice researches reflection to represent the act of introspection and embarking on an inner journey.
Solo exhibitions include (Upcoming) Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery, West Palm Beach, USA (2024); Why Nation’s Win (WNW), ALÁRA, Lagos Nigeria (2021); Dreams from the Deep End, Gallery 57, Accra, Ghana (2019); Dreams from the Deep End, New York, US (2018); Heads Up, Keep Swimming, Temple Muse, Lagos, Nigeria (2017); Synchronised Swimming & Drowning, Ed Cross Fine Art, London, UK (2017); Prayers, Players & Swimmers, Cité international des arts, Paris, France (2017).
Group exhibitions include Filling in the Pieces in Black, presented by Maruani Mercier, curated by June Sarpong OBE, Saatchi Gallery, London, UK (2023); Filling in the Pieces in Black, curated by June Sarpong OBE, Maruani Mercier, Brussels, Belgium (2023); The Armory Show, with kó gallery, NY, US (2023); Dubai Art Fair, with Gallery 1957, Dubai, UAE (2022), the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, Royal Academy of Arts, London, UK (2017); Afriques Capitales, Gare Saint Sauveur, Lille, France (2017); Dak’art, Dakar Biennale, Dakar, Senegal (2016) and The Art Energy, London, UK (2015).
Highlights and Collections
In 2016 The People's Algorithm was awarded El Anatsui's Outstanding Production Prize and a 2016 Dakar Biennale Grand Prize from Senegal's Minister of Communication. In 2022, the documentary video that accompanied the exhibition Dreams from the Deep End, which captures Modupeola Fadugba as she paints NYC’s only African American synchronized swim team of senior citizens, the Harlem Honeys and Bears, won the New York Emmy award in the DEI Long Form Content category. Fadugba has held residency at the International Studio and Curatorial Program in New York (2018), as well as Smithsonian Institution Research Fellowship (2020). The same year she held residency at Headlands Center for the Arts. Modupeola’s works have been included in national and international auctions and are held in over 70 private collections worldwide including the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art, the University of Delaware, the Sindika Dokolo Foundation collection as well as the Liberian President, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.