See Beyond

See Beyond is both a title and a metaphor, a call to notice and preserve moments of everyday beauty. In this piece, Akindele John centres the portrait of an African woman with natural Afro-textured hair, contoured with feathers and adorned with beads. These elements highlight a personal sense of gratitude and admiration for Black feminine identity and expression, which he views as central to African society. This work echoes his broader practice, where visibility and respect for Black feminine identity remain key themes.

Akindele John is a Nigerian artist based in Lagos whose work centres on people from Africa and the African diaspora. Known for his expressive figurative paintings, he portrays his subjects in contemplative states, often draped in vibrant hues ranging from jewel tones to neon brights. The figures in his works gaze vividly back at us and engage in nonverbal negotiations with one another. Akindele's paintings feature loose, expressive lines and a soft brushwork technique that contribute to the contemplative mood of his figures.

Akindele's artistic vision is to elevate the everyday into the sacred, to render emotion visible, and to create space for both personal and collective reflection. He aims to create works where viewers feel seen, valued, and complete. Themes of identity, memory, cultural lineage, and introspection are central to his practice. In his work, he pays homage to his African-Nigerian roots, particularly celebrating Black feminine identity, which he sees as central to the pulse of African society. A striking element of his paintings is the attention to nappturality—natural afro-textured hairstyles—as a symbol of pride and presence. Working across various media, Akindele has exhibited internationally.