Nigerian artist Morenike "Renike" Olusanya mostly creates portraits of Black women.
Morenike Olusanya
Olusanya studied Creative Art at the University of Lagos, Nigeria.
Morenike Olusanya
Her work explores multiple themes around Black women, including skin color, hairstyles, femininity and body shape.
Morenike Olusanya
Aspects of her personal life have been incorporated into her work. This piece is titled "She Will Not Shrink Herself To Make Others Feel Comfortable."
morenike olusanya
While a significant part of Olusanya's work is done digitally, on her iPad, she says she also enjoys painting on canvas, like in this portrait.
Morenike Olusanya
She has illustrated multiple book covers. This one was for Germany's first Black minister, Aminata Touré.
Morenike Olusanya
This book cover was for New York Times best-selling author Nicola Yoon.
Morenike Olusanya
Olusanya says her work is a reflection of the things she sees around her. The hair color in this portrait, for example, was inspired by a friend.
Morenike Olusanya
The outfit in "Besties" is the traditional wedding attire of the Yoruba tribe, in western Nigeria.
Morenike Olusanya
"I don't dance as much as I used to, so in place of dancing, my art does it for me," says Olusanya of her dance portraits.
morenike olusanya
She adds that her dance portraits are an expression of how she feels at a point in time. This piece is titled "She Carries Her Energy Wherever She Goes."
morenike olusanya
Olusanya believes that artists are storytellers. She aims to continue to use her art to tell stories of Black women.
