Artist Biography
Abraham Babajide Cole is a Nigerian-born multidisciplinary artist whose work spans painting, drawing, sculpture, textile printmaking, and digital design. His practice explores migration, identity, cultural memory, and the human condition through visual storytelling and material experimentation.
In 2024, Cole exhibited Suns of Egypt in Athens, a series inspired by Biblical and Quranic narratives exploring diasporic spirituality and migration. As part of the Mayor of London’s Untold Stories Project (2024), he co-created a monumental public art installation celebrating Yoruba heritage in Peckham, commissioned by Southwark Council. In early 2025, Cole presented Ijinlẹ Ara (The Depth of Self), a solo exhibition in Lagos that delved into introspection and spiritual identity.
In 2025, he was commissioned by The Global Fund and M&C Saatchi London to design textile motifs for a malaria awareness campaign across West Africa, blending traditional pattern-making with public health messaging. October 2025, Cole opened Black History Month with his exhibition Bound by Roots, Divided by Paths at Dudley Library, West Midlands.
Looking ahead, in 2026 Cole will take part in two residency programmes with Multistory in collaboration with Wolverhampton School of Art and The New Art Gallery Walsall. These residencies expand his ongoing research into self-anxiety, Spirituality, displacement, and the shifting psychological landscapes experienced when navigating different spaces and temporal realities.
Cole studied Fine Art and Design at Yaba College of Technology, Lagos (2005–2012), and worked for over 15 years in Nigeria’s advertising industry before becoming a full-time studio artist in 2020. His evolving practice bridges cultural heritage, social themes, and material innovation.
CV | Abraham Babajide Cole
Born in 1984. Lagos, Nigeria. Resides and work in Birmingham, United Kingdom.
EDUCATION
2012 Art Design, Yaba College of Technology, Lagos- Nigeria. 2007 Fine Art, Yaba College of Technology, Lagos- Nigeria.
UPCOMING EXHIBITION / PROJECTS
2026 BCN Residency, Multistory Programme. Wolverhampton School of Art, West Midlands, UK. 2026 The Assembly Exhibition, Multistory. The New Walsall Art Gallery, Walsall, UK. 2026 Bound by Roots, Divided by Paths II. The Hive Gallery, Jewery Quarters, Birmingham, West Midlands, UK
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2025 Bound by Roots, Divided by Paths. Dudley National Library, West Midlands, UK 2025 Injinle Ara - The Depth of Self, Omeka Gallery, Lagos, Nigeria 2024 Suns of Egypt. Blank Wall Gallery, Athens, Greece. 2022 Deep Introspection, ArtRooms Gallery, Kings Heath, Birmingham, UK
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2025 Nook Gallery Yellow Group Exhibition. Nook Gallery, Kings Heat, Birmingham, UK 2025 ORT Gallery Members Exhibition. Stryx Art Gallery, Birmingham, UK 2024 Holy Art Group Exhibition ETHERAL. Shacklewell Lane London, United Kingdom 2023 United Artist of South Birmingham Group View. Mosley Exchange Hall, Birmingham, UK 2023 EBAY Black History Month Creative Art Show. Richmond, London, United Kingdom 2022 Arter Barter. Kings Heath Art Exhibition. Birmingham, UK 2022 ORT Gallery Members Exhibition. ORT Gallery Mosley Art Museum Birmingham, UK 2020 Back to School Orphanage Fund raising Exhibition, Lagos, Nigeria.
PROJECT/ WORKSHOPS/ PUBLICATIONS
2025 The Welcome Family Art Workshop, Mosley, ORT Gallery Mosley Art Museum Birmingham, UK 2024 The Yoruba Heritage Installation Art at London, Peckham, Southwark City Council Square, UK 2020 Jury New York Festival Award, USA 2024 The Southwark City Newspaper feature on Yoruba Heritage Installation Art at London, UK 2022 Featured in the Monthly Mosley Art Magazine, UK 2020 Creative Art Personality of the Year Publication in the Marketing Edge Creative Art Sector Magazine. Lagos- Nigeria
AWARDS
2020 Creative Art Personality of the Year. Lagos- Nigeria 2020 Social Impact Category in Design, Bronze Medal at the African Crystal Festival Award Marrakesh, Morocco.