Adedolapo Boluwatife

Adedolapo Boluwatife is a photographer and filmmaker from Lagos, Nigeria, born in the Ojodu area in 1996. He studied English Language and Literary Studies at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife. Initially a writer and sketch artist, his zeal to explore more media of expression led him to join the university photography club, where he was exposed to modernist and Avant-Garde photography. Immersing himself in the works of Alfred Stieglitz, Edward Steichen, Man Ray, Ansel Adams, and contemporary photographers like Viviane Sassen and Rotimi Fani-Kayode, he found his voice in photography and filmmaking.

As an introvert, Adedolapo struggled to vocalize the many ideas and thoughts that flood his mind, but photography and filmmaking became the most effective means of expression for him. His work reflects personal experiences, beliefs, and challenges, often symbolizing his struggles to fit and contribute into society and his quest for freedom. Profoundly shaped by his environment, his current nature-themed works stem from a newfound appreciation for the healing power of nature, emphasizing its importance for mental and creative well-being. With creative use of natural lighting and intense composition, he exposes his opinions, concerns, beliefs, adventures, and ordeals through his work, exploring the multifaceted realities of society—from its stunning beauty to its stark challenges—and shedding light on complex elements like beauty, gender, politics, mental health, climate, human culture, and lifestyle.

His work has earned him numerous honors, including the Lens Culture Fine Art Award Finalist, 2024; Prazzle Inc. Galaxy Artist Grant, March 2024; HUG 2024 Artists to Watch; Lens Culture Critics Choice Award in 2023; and shortlisting in the Fine Art category of the 2022 500px GPA Award. He was a finalist at the Agora Images World ‘Eyes’ Photo contest in 2019, he was also a finalist at the final selection for the CAP Prize (Contemporary African Photography) 2024. Adedolapo was commissioned to shoot the cover for the Booker Prize and Thomas Dylan shortlisted novel, “A Spell of Good Things” by Ayobami Adebayo. Adedolapo has also been featured on print and web platforms like Nataal UK, Nowness, Behance, MAPS Magazine S. Korea, Obscura Magazine Bulgaria, ItNiceThat, Bored Panda, Phoblographer, Fair Planet, Tender Photo, and Gida Journal, to mention a few.

Adedolapo has shown his works in Paris at the Identité Plurielle group exhibition, he has also exhibited in Lagos at the Through the Lens group exhibition at the Alliance Française de Lagos.

Currently based in Lagos as a freelance photographer and filmmaker, Adedolapo is focusing on projects related to mental health and climate.

Through his work, he explores the complexities of emotions, environment, and identity, inviting viewers to question societal limits and embrace authenticity, ultimately celebrating beauty in adversity and resilience.