Painter and community educator, Lanre Olagoke was born to Nigerian parents in London, England in 1962. He grew up in Nigeria and relocated to London aged 19. A self-taught artist, Olagoke found in art a powerful refuge and a means to overcome his struggles with drug abuse and homelessness, channeling his experiences into a vibrant artistic expression that reflects both his Nigerian heritage and the dynamic energy of London. As the founder of Art-Alive Arts Trust, Olagoke has mentored over 5,000 young people, using art as a tool for social change and personal healing. In recognition of his significant contributions, especially in helping young people access the arts, he was honoured with an MBE in 2024.
Painter and community educator, Lanre Olagoke was born in 1962 to Nigerian parents in London, England. At the age of four, his family relocated to Nigeria, where he was brought up in a middle-class household. The divorce of his parents had a profound impact, leading him to spend part of his childhood in a foster family home along with some of his siblings. Despite these personal challenges, Olagoke discovered a passion for painting early on. However, the lack of appreciation for his art within his cultural environment set him on a difficult path. His return to London at the age of 19 was marked by numerous challenges, including drug abuse and gambling, which eventually led to homelessness. Throughout these hardships, however, art remained a steadfast source of comfort and solace for him. A significant turning point in his life occurred in the 1980s when he met and apprenticed under Ben Enwonwu, a renowned African artist known for sculpting HM Queen Elizabeth II. Enwonwu's mentorship was pivotal in helping Olagoke develop and refine his unique artistic style.
Oscillating between figurative and abstract, Olagoke's paintings create a unique interplay that reflects his Nigerian heritage intertwined with the pulsating energy of London. In works like Africa my Beloved (2018), Olagoke employs a predominantly dark palette, punctuated with bursts of colour. This piece appears as a visual homage to the African continent. The central motif, highlighted against a dark backdrop, is vibrant and reminiscent of Africa's shape, symbolising its rich and diverse tapestry of cultures. Green Pasture and Atmosphere evoke a lush, almost tangible landscape, where the textured layers and fluidity of the paint suggest movement and life. Olagoke’s use of bold, impasto techniques gives the paintings a dynamic three-dimensionality.
Beyond his personal artistic achievements, Olagoke is also notable for his contributions to the community. His personal connection to art's therapeutic power motivated him to set up the Art-Alive Arts Trust (AAAT) in 1997. His aim was to extend the same opportunity for self-expression and rehabilitation that he had found in art to others facing difficulties in their lives. The charity is dedicated to helping young people through art and has assisted over 5,000 individuals, providing them with opportunities to explore and express themselves artistically. AAAT offers workshops not only in painting, but also in textiles, fashion, filming, and photography, operating from a studio in Regents Street in central London. These workshops aim to equip young people with the skills needed to pursue their passion for the arts or to succeed in general employment through purposeful activities. In 2011, Olagoke initiated the Soho Arts Fair, an annual event featuring performances by over 200 young people on world-famous Carnaby Street. The AAAT has also been instrumental in bringing art into different settings, including primary schools and prisons, where Lanre runs workshops in painting and printmaking, across London and beyond. One of the innovative schemes undertaken by the Trust is ‘At the Gates’, which focuses on engaging prisoners within the prison system and continuing that support post-release. This approach ensures a continuity of care and mentorship, helping individuals reintegrate into society. Olagoke has also been involved in projects in Nigeria, such as running workshops for underprivileged youths in Lagos and working on a project for a Museum of Black Women in History in Oyo town. Olagoke's commitment to using art as a tool for social change and personal transformation has been recognised at the highest level. In 2024 he received an MBE for his outstanding work in helping young people access the arts. He declared, ‘There would be no MBE for me if there were no young people’, expressing his further aspiration to establish an arts academy to nurture talent in various creative industries (Art Alive).
Olagoke held a retrospective, titled My Journey at the Red Gate Gallery, London in 2011. In 2022, the American Embassy in London hosted an exhibition titled Reclamation during Black History Month and International Women's Day, featuring artworks by young female artists associated with Art-Alive. The show aimed to revisit and emphasise African identity and history, particularly the role of black women. Artworks by three young female artists, Fatoumatta Rose Jallow, Ronni Winter, and Orry Shenjobi, were shown, each reflecting their individual personal journey and cultural heritage. The exhibition also featured two of Olagoke's works, Hope and Reclamation. In 2023, at London's National Gallery, Olagoke played a pivotal role in an event revisiting Edgar Degas' portrayal of 19th-century circus artist Miss La La. Collaborating with British academics, including Dr. Bonnie Greer and Professor Olivette Otele, Olagoke engaged in a unique fusion of art and discussion. During this forum, he creatively interpreted Greer's book, Miss La La’s Hanging By Her Teeth through a live painting session. Olagoke’s work is not currently represented in UK public collections.
Consult items in the Ben Uri archive related to [Lanre Olagoke]
Publications related to [Lanre Olagoke] in the Ben Uri Library