Olu Ajayi

Olu Ajayi (18 August 1963 - 23 May 2025) was a Nigerian professional artist, painter, cartoonist, and art reviewer, with over 40 years experience in studio practice and Art Administration. He was a chairman of the Society of Nigerian Artists, Lagos State chapter and a trustee of the Guild of Professional Artists of Nigeria (GFA). Olu Ajayi was also a board member of the Visual Art Society of Nigeria (VASON), and a Fellow of the Society of Nigerian Artists. He was listed in the Who is Who in Art compendium, as well as being honoured as a Top 100 Artist.

During his career he held exhibitions in Nigeria, South Africa, USA, UK, Canada, and other European countries. He also sold his art in Burnham's Auction House.

Early life Olu was born on 18 August 1963 Olu Ajayi illustrated Xanti by Neville Ukoli, and the Aboki Comic Strip of Defunct The Sunday Observer Newspapers. He was also the in-house cartoonist of Defunct The Nigerian Observer Newspapers.

Career Olu Ajayi was one of the early pioneers of water colour paintings in Nigeria.

His works had been exhibited in Nigeria, Africa and Europe and served as a consultant across local and international art platforms. He has reviewed Funnso Ogunlade's "A Promise of Harvest”, Humphrey Bekaren's "A New Pride”, Abraham Ogbodo's "Painting a New Order", Chinwe Uwatse's "A Blaze of Colour", and "Eccentric Paintings" by the Sunday Times Newspapers, Lagos. (1999) an oil on canvas painting was his highest grossing exhibited work sold at Arthouse Contemporary Limited in 2008.

Death Olu Ajayi died on 23 May 2025 at St. Nicholas Hospital in Lagos, Nigeria.