Born in Lagos, Nigeria, Oyewole Lawal (1988) is a photographer and visual artist with a passion for storytelling. His journey into photography began in late 2020, starting with just a smartphone before transitioning to a DSLR camera in late 2021.
With a background in sociology from the University of Lagos, Oyewole’s style is influenced by sociological theories such as functionalism and Marxism. He uses his photography to critique and explore social issues, aiming to document the complexities of human experience and the evolving dynamics between individuals and their environments. By doing so, Lawal brings attention to marginalized voices and challenges stereotypes.
Currently, Oyewole is working on an environmental and social story, ‘Guardian of Gaia’, in Nigeria.
His career has been marked by numerous accolades, including the prestigious 2023 W. Eugene Smith Memorial Fund Student Grant and the 2024 Emerging Lens Fellowship grant. He has participated in residencies such as the Dikan Program in Ghana, where he studied photojournalism, and the Artwork Project in Chicago.
His work has been featured in renowned publications like Street Photography Magazine, Foto Factory Lagos, and Muse Magazine, and he has exhibited in venues such as the Lagos Photo Festival and the Alliançe Français Lagos and COP28 Virtual Exhibition.
