Ilashe II Lagos, 2018
Polly Alakija is a British multidisciplinary artist, muralist and children's author. Being an artist was a subconscious decision she made in her formative years. She focuses on painting and drawing, and is influenced by the works of Paul Klee and Kandinsky, alongside her German heritage. Her work is both abstract and figurative, reflecting her exploration of urban landscapes, community and human relationships.
In 1989, she moved to Nigeria to marry her Nigerian husband, Ade Alakija. While there, she immersed herself in Nigerian culture, exploring Yoruba traditions, community life, and public art. Her work is held in several private collections in the UK, USA, France, Nigeria, and South Africa. One of her most prominent public works is the mural at the Falomo Roundabout in Lagos, featuring portraits painted on pillars inspired by the 276 schoolgirls abducted in Borno State in 2014. The mural serves as a reminder and tribute, highlighting the value of the girl child and honouring the #BringBackOurGirls campaign.
The notable themes in her practice include womanhood, community, and urban cultural landscapes. She has been recognised both internationally and locally for her contributions to art and public engagement. Among her many roles, she is also an activist and children’s educator, teaching at the Montessori Centre in London, the American Christian Academy and Ibadan International School in Nigeria, and facilitating workshops and festivals such as The Garden City Literary Festival (2012) and Hooked on Books (2013). She has also led mural and stage design projects in Nigeria, South Africa, and the UK, mentoring the next generation of artists.
Her Nigerian children’s books, Catch That Goat (2002) and Counting Chickens (2014), celebrate Nigerian culture and the positive aspects of everyday life. Her exhibitions in Nigeria include solo shows at the Alliance Française, Ibadan (1990) and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Ibadan (1994), as well as collaborative projects with leading Nigerian artists.