Gloria Ojulari Sule was born to a British mother and Nigerian father in London, England in 1950. The challenges of a mixed-race marriage led her parents to separate, and she spent her childhood in a children's home in Suffolk. Drawing on her personal experiences and her father's Yoruba traditions, her artworks address the complexities faced by mixed-race individuals. Beyond her art, she is a committed advocate for community arts and education, frequently collaborating with institutions and schools to promote inclusivity and cultural understanding.
Artist and educator Gloria Ojulari Sule was born to a British mother and Nigerian father on 6 November 1950 in London, England. The challenges of a mixed-race marriage led her parents to separate. Subsequently, Gloria spent her childhood in a children's home in Suffolk and went to a local village school. During her time at the children's home, she felt neglected, particularly when it came to understanding the unique needs of her Black heritage, such as the proper care for her hair. As an adult, she pursued higher education and earned a BA (Hons) degree in Fine Art Painting from the Norwich School of Art and Design in 1996. Additionally, she holds a City and Guilds Certificate of Further Adult Education Teaching. Ojulari Sule's work is deeply rooted in her personal experiences as a Black woman with dual heritage, exploring the complexities faced by mixed-race individuals in Britain and the profound implications of being detached from family or heritage. Her father's Yoruba traditions, along with masquerade and festivals, significantly influence her work.
Beyond her personal artwork, Sule has been a committed advocate for community arts, adult education, and early-years education. In the UK Ojulari Sule has collaborated with local institutions such as Bath and Somerset Council and has conducted workshops for school children of various age groups. After moving to Bristol in 1996, she collaborated with numerous local schools and community groups, creating murals, such as the one at St. Werburgh’s Primary School and for the Renewal Scheme in St Paul's. A further mural on a dentist’s surgery in Sussex Place, celebrating the diverse communities in Bristol since 1945, received a civic award. However, it was painted over five years later, following the building's sale. Additionally, she undertook commissions for shop signs under the 1999 Renewal Scheme and for murals on Brighton Street and facades in St Agnes, Bristol.
In 2000, Ojulari Sule attended a Samporia event in Gothenburg, Sweden, where she connected with artists from various twin towns and cities across Europe and Africa. Among those represented was Beira in Mozambique, a twin city of Bristol. Three Bristol-based schools – Luckwell Primary, Colston’s Primary, and Henbury Secondary – have partnerships with schools in Beira. Gloria assisted them in designing banners for the Throne of WeaponsPortrait of a Nation event at Liverpool. In May 2006, Ojulari Sule visited Dak’Art Biennale of Contemporary African Art in Dakar, Senegal, where she interacted with artists, reviewed exhibitions, and filmed her journey, a resource she later shared with schools.
In 2010, Brent Museum and Archive in London commissioned her textile piece, What’s Our Story, inspired by the British Museum’s touring exhibition, Fabric of a Nation. Ojulari Sule’s dynamic costume, tailored for children to be able to wear, was influenced by the bold and detailed Egungun Oyo masquerade outfits, celebrated in Yoruba festivals in Nigeria honouring ancestors. Further inspiration came from Ghanaian kente and adinkra, traditional West African textiles, and modern African artwork. Echoing the traditional Egungun costumes, this handmade piece incorporated diverse materials, including Dutch wax patterns, bottle caps, batik textiles and seashells. The vibrant fabric strips were designed for ease of movement as wearers dance, incorporating both traditional and modern tales in their movements. Those viewing or wearing the costumes were encouraged to interpret and craft their own stories from the imagery and narratives embedded within the outfits. Beyond commissions and community projects, Ojulari Sule’s exhibitions have included Black Market, Inside Out, Galleries of Justice, Nottingham (2004), and Working with the Riddims, Bristol Station (2002). Her work featured in a special edition of the Voice newspaper and she also founded Gloarts, a company specialising in posters and cards, aiming to promote positive images of Black individuals.
In 2018, Ojulari Sule relocated to Buenaventura, Colombia to join her daughter. She is now deeply involved in projects connected to the coastal areas of Cauca and Valley de Cauca, regions predominantly inhabited by Afro Colombians. The presence of these descendants of African heritage traces back to the transatlantic slave trade. Many river communities maintain lifestyles reminiscent of their ancestors, living in harmony with the land. For these communities, the fight for land rights remains a central concern.Her work is not currently represented in UK public collections.