Joseph Ijoyemi is a Swedish-Nigerian artist based in London, working across various mediums to explore his cultural heritage and identity. His work, a blend of figurative and abstract styles, is inspired by his life experiences, and he uses different materials and imagery to tell stories. Joseph graduated with an MA in Fine Art from Central Saint Martins in 2023. He’s already earned recognition, winning the Helen Scott Lidgett Award and being shortlisted for the Evening Standard Prize, with his work featured in group exhibitions. He also had his pieces showcased in the New Contemporaries 2023 exhibition, establishing himself as one to watch in the art world.
Joseph’s art goes beyond galleries. He’s worked on community-based projects, like a mural for Peabody in Thamesmead called Believe and Achieve, which connected with local people and gave them a sense of pride. He also created Sovereign Strength and Ancestral Thrones, an installation for the Royal Museums Greenwich, which focused on reclaiming African history and challenging colonial narratives.
As a co-founder of The Collective Makers, Joseph supports young creatives, helping them find their voice. His work also dives deep into his Nigerian roots, using traditional methods like wood carving and bronze casting to explore the complexities of dual identity. His project Connection and Disconnection, supported by the Arts Council’s Develop Your Creative Practice grant, combined Swedish and Nigerian craft techniques to reflect his mixed heritage.
Joseph was recently awarded the MEAD Fellowship at UAL for his project Tracing Roots: Exploring Nigerian Heritage Through Ondo’s Treasures. This project involved working with local artisans in Nigeria to explore traditional crafts like blacksmithing and goldsmithing, while blending these practices with contemporary art. His focus on preserving Nigerian culture while addressing issues of identity remains central to his work.
Joseph’s interest in history and the African diaspora has led him to work with museums worldwide. One of his key works is the use of Alumbro Metal from the Cutty Sark’s hull, which he received from the National Maritime Museum. He uses this material in his sculptures and installations to explore themes of black identity and the African experience. More recently, he has started experimenting with sound in his art, using recordings and samples to create rhythms and music that connect with his exploration of archives and cultural memory.
Through his art, Joseph wants to provoke thought around issues like cultural restitution, heritage, and identity. His work creates immersive experiences that challenge people to rethink societal norms and engage with the diverse world we live in. Joseph’s latest projects, inspired by his trips to Nigeria and Sweden, continue to push these conversations forward, with new sculptures, multimedia works, and sound performances that offer fresh perspectives on the African diaspora and the connections that bind us all.