ARTIST BIO AND CV
BIOGRAPHY
Fatola, born April 7, 1996, is a visionary visual artist and the Creative Director of Heavenly Artz™ Studios. A creative powerhouse dedicated to fostering innovative ideas and exploring the intersection of art, media, storytelling, and technology. Through his works, he seeks to illuminate the complexities of the human experience and inspire new perspectives.
Several of Fatola’s works have been awarded and featured in numerous group shows all across the world. Fatola’s narrative and the expressive properties of his technique are carefully constructed to describe with acute accuracy, the true inward essence of his subjects and their unique experience.
His raw detail forces the viewer to see everything, thereafter creating an awareness which the artist intends to use to inspire positive change.
ARTIST STATEMENT
What do you really know about Knowledge? and how does it translate to Art?
Knowledge is not just what You know. It is who You are. It defines your options, not just intellectually, but in all respects. You can’t know something and then step back to be something completely different.
My ongoing works of Art are deeply inscribed with knowledge of history and my cultural heritage. My objective is to relay a visual map of the different ways in our culture that humans develop knowledge about themselves.
My aim as a Visual Artist is to effectively communicate these thoughts and ideas, portraying the experiences of Man as a product of the Society. These numerous and multifaceted Human Experience are in fact used as tools to inspire me to create.
Through raw realism, I intend to provoke emotions in You, the necessary catalyst to encourage a shift in the nature of ongoing conversations around the themes of beauty and facial/body markings.
How do you define your style?
My artistic style is a combination of an introspective conversation with myself and the world outside. I think of it as an exploration of my real-life experiences, intuition and intent, to search within myself for ideas that are true – this process is the fundamental ingredient needed to make the realization that I communicate through my works.
What makes this process more unique is the nuanced perspectives I get from my interactions with my muses. These conversations expose the social complexities around the supposed marks of beauty. These talks expands my understanding of the past and reimagines my vision of future works around how we see ourselves.
My technique presents itself as a meditative act and this practice is reflective of my personal life. Consequently, I have encountered Truth and Reality by searching inward. Truth and Reality are the foundational principles that guide my creative process. Realizing this made me a Hyperrealist.
What are your favorite techniques?
My Art technique is the rendering of details and textures for the purpose of engaging the audience.
Because of the great number of perspectives which can be taken on the subject of hyperrealism, as to why I represent details with so much attention, it is important that I give answers to these questions.
By replicating reality to the finest details; I simply pursue Truth. It’s really that simple. This technique is my attempt to reveal the Truth about how the world looks, and how it works. These works are not representations of reality, but rather my perception of it.
My aim is to force the viewer to experience what is called “surprised recognition”
“It is the function of the artist to evoke the experience of surprised recognition: to show the viewer what he knows but does not know that he knows.
What do You want to express in your work?
I sincerely hope the truth I discover through my Art (which I believe is endless) provides a valid commentary on our condition as humans.
Through Raw Realism, I intend to provoke emotions, the necessary catalyst to encourage a shift in the nature of ongoing culture-centric conversations towards more practical actions, thereby solving more problems in the world today.
EDUCATION
2017
2016
2014
2017
Bachelor of Arts (Visual Arts): University of Lagos, Nigeria
2016
Industrial Training: Universal Studios of Art, National Theatre-Lagos, Nigeria
2014
Drawing Certificate: OYASAF Art Workshop
AWARDS/PRIZES
2019
2018
2017
2016
2019
- 2nd Runner-Up, British Council Office Art Showcase
2018
- Finalist, Rise Art Prize, United Kingdom
2017
- Lawrence Agada Prize for “Story of My Life”, Life in My City Art Festival
- 1st Prize Overall Winner for “Life on Land”, ArtBeat 2.0 Farabale Africa
- Finalist, Union Bank Centenary Art Challenge
2016
- Consolation Prize for “Captivity” at Riches Within, Life in My City Art Festival
- 2nd Overall Prize for “Mojisola”, Embassy of Spain, Abuja, FCT
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2017
2016
2023
- Art In Transformation: Victoria Island, Lagos State
2022
- Chronicles of Women Kings in Yoruba Land Lagos, Nigeria
2021
- Corridor Contemporary: (Nigeria 5) Tel Aviv, Israel
2020
- Gloria Gallery (Group Exhibition) Paris, France
2019
- Impart Art Fair: Eko Atlantic City, Victoria Island, Lagos
2017
- Eko Art Expo Themed “Lagos for All”, Lagos
- “In the Midst of Realities” LIMCAF, Enugu
2016
- Riches Within, LIMCAF – Enugu, Nigeria
- Afropolitan Vibes Music and Art Festival. Lagos
Contact
Lagos – Los Angeles – London
© 2026 Fatola Israel