With a background in painting, Tyna Adebowale’s work is characterised by a multidisciplinary approach and social engagement focused on politics, gender, and social media in contemporary Nigerian society. Her interests are centered on highlighting subcultures that existed before disruptions from foreign influencers. In the current climate, these systems of existence are seen as taboo and are often accompanied with shame and secrecy. As a result, a subculture of otherness emerged, a primary source of inspiration for Adebowale’s artistic research. Adebowale explores the gender variance and gender fluidity intrinsic to numerous cultural and spiritual histories in Africa for centuries. Colonial educational curriculums and religion led to the emergence of unacceptance.
Adebowale has exhibited her works in series of group exhibitions in international spaces as well as in Nigeria. Recent exhibitions include Refresh Amsterdam, Amsterdam Museum, (2020-2021); The Future is Female, CODA Museum, Appeldorn (2020); What if Women Rule The World?, Garage-Rotterdam (2019). She was the second recipient of the Jacqueline Van Tongeren Fellowship For African Artists (2017-2018) and 3Package Deal Award (2019-2020) AFK, Amsterdam. In 2018, she completed her two-year Ai.residency at the Rijksakademie van Beeldende Kunsten in Amsterdam. She recently became an artist in residency at BlackRock Senegal, run by Kehinde Wiley.
