I'm Akin Adejuwon

A curator and a professional festival artistic director

Born Day:
13th November, 1959
Experience:
+40 years
E-mail:
mendrafx@yahoo.com
Phone:
+234 (0) 803 944 5330
Postal Address:
Institute of Cultural Studies, OAU, Ile-Ife
Check my works

About me

Akin Adejuwon has been the Curator of the Martin Aworinlewo Odeyemi Museum of Antiquities and Contemporary African Art, an integral component of the Institute of Cultural Studies since 2007. Between 2014 and 2017, he was on national assignment in Abuja where on meritorious service as the Artistic Director / C.E.O. (Director-General) of the primal performing art institution, National Troupe of the Federal Republic of Nigeria he directed several stage performances. A high point of this was the staging in 2016 at the National Theatre of Wole Soyinka ‘s “Death and the King’s Horseman”, marking the play’s fortieth anniversary.
He is also the founding Curator of the Wole Soyinka Museum, OAU, Ile-Ife inaugurated in July 2018, an associate lecturer in the Department of Fine and Applied Arts, Obafemi Awolowo University and a co- editor, of IFE-Annals, a Journal of Institute of Cultural Studies, Obafemi Awolowo University.
He has furthermore organized several art and cultural exhibitions and festivals. He was and is still consultant to several cultural projects like the Lagos State Government’s Lagos Black Heritage Festival 2010- 2013, and the revered throne of Ile- Ife under The House of Oduduwa. He is the Artistic Director of both Obafemi Awolowo University’s International Ife Festival and the Olojo Festival of the ancient City of Ife.
He holds a Master of Philosophy degree in Cultural History and a Master of Arts in African Art Studies from the Obafemi Awolowo University, apart from his Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Arts from the Industrial Designs Department of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. The core of his research is the interpretation of pre- colonial Yoruba history through the visual and performative arts of Yoruba palaces. His area of studio specialization is Graphic Design and Production of 2-D (Disney type) Cartoon Animation. He is currently working on his Ph.D Thesis titled “A history of visuality in the performative arts of north-eastern Yorubaland 1870- 1977”.

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My Skills

Team Lead
2D Animation
Sketch & Illustration
Graphic Design & Photograph
Intellectual Research

My services

Festival Artistic Director

Proffesional & charming festival director

Graphic Design and Animation

Proffesional & effective branding services

Web Design and Application

Proffesional & interactive web design and solutions

Corporate Identity & Printing

Proffesional & effective corporate serivices

My Gallery

Personal Pictures

Experience & Job

2007 – 2014, 2017 till Date

Acting Curator

Martin Aworinlewo Odeyemi Museum of Antiquities and Contemporary African Art
Sept. 2014 - March 2017

Artistic Director/ Chief Executive Officer

National Troupe of Nigeria, Lagos/ Abuja
2005 - 2006

Freelance Designing and Consulting

Press and Film Industry, Lagos. (Self-employed)
2004-2005

Resident Designer and Consultant, Personal Expression

(Kluger Specialized) Press and Publishers, Victoria Island, Lagos
2002-2003

Project Consultant (Coordination, Architectural Graphics and Landscape)

Topcem Cement Manufacturing Ltd. Ikot Abasi, Akwa Ibom State
1998-2001

Project Consultant, Rare - wood Sourcing and Export

Gia Interglobal Limited, Lagos and Cotonou, Republique du Benin
1992-1997

Furniture and Interior Design and Fabrication

Mendra Fx Ltd. Lagos (Self-employed)
1992-1997

Illustrator/Graphic Designer

McQuick (Press) Ltd. Lagos
1990-1992

Graphic Designer/Cartoon Animation Consultant

Lagos State Council for Arts and Culture
1982-1983

Graduate Assistant

National Youth Service - Ibadan Polytechnic
1979-1980

Illustrator/Graphic Design Assistant

New Culture Studios Ibadan - Publishers of New Culture Magazine.

Education

2013 - 2016

Master of Philosophy in Cultural History

Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife
2006 - 2012

M.A. African Art Studies.

Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife
1979 - 1982

B.A. Industrial Design

Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria

Achievement

  • National
  • Within University
  • Outside University
  1. APRIL/MAY, 2015 – EASTER DRAMA PRODUCTION AT THE NATIONAL THEATRE – Title - “SPECTACLE”.
  2. APRIL/MAY, 2015 – 2015 CAIRO INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL FOR DRUMS AND TRADITIONAL ARTS- Special Drumming Presentation.
  3. MAY 2015 – PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATION PERFORMANCE at the Presidential Villa Banquet Hall, Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.
  4. AUGUST 2015 - 6th Edition of Children Creative Station Workshop Presentation at the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos...
  5. SEPTEMBER 2015- Performance of “Dokita Eji” for the commissioning of the first Dental Museum in Africa- DEMA Dental Museum, Ilesa Road, Ile- Ife.
  6. OCTOBER 2015 - MoU signed with University of Ilorin and National Theatre Ghana. Activation of MoU’s with the Performance of ‘Yemoja’ and ‘Naigha’ respectively at both the main Hall, University of Ilorin and the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos.
  7. NOVEMBER 2015 - 2nd Phase of National Tour. Performance of ‘Murna’ in performative advocacy to the IDP camps at Bauchi and in collaboration with NOA at Yankari.
  8. DECEMBER 2015 – Activation of MoU with O.A.U. Ife with collaboration on the Distinguished Alumni Awards.
  9. FEBRUARY 2016 – Performance of “I love Nigeria” performative advocacy in collaboration with NOA at Unity grounds Abuja.
  10. FEBRUARY 2016 – Continuation of Phase 2 of IDP camps tour. Performances and relief materials presentation at Kuchingoro and Wasaa of the Federal Capital Territory.
  11. FEBRUARY 18TH 2016 - Performance of the “Yemoja” dance drama in honour of the Ooni of Ife’s promotion of Yoruba synergy with Republic of Cuba- Cuban Embassy, Abuja.
  12. APRIL 27TH 2016 – Performance of “Nigeriana” dance drama projecting the best of Nigerian heritage at the Tourism and Culture Summit of the Ministry of Information and Culture at the Hilton Hotel, Abuja.
  13. MAY 2016- Production and Presentation in collaboration with O.A.U. Department of Dramatic Arts of Nigerian Zonal Secondary Schools Drama (400 Years of Shakespeare) “OTHELLO”- South-West Zone O.A.U. Ile-Ife- 30th may 2016.
  14. AUGUST 2016- The 7th Edition of the Children’s Creative Station Workshop presentation. (“The Dented Anthill”-Directed by Sir Peter Badejo) at the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos - 30th August 2016.
  15. OCTOBER 2016- Special Production of the Play “MAAFA” (Point of No Return) at the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos.
  16. NOVEMBER 2016- Production and Presentation of Command Performance of “Death and the King’s Horseman” at the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos.
  17. NOVEMBER 2016- Photo and Art Exhibition in Commemoration of the 4oth Year of “Death and the King’s Horseman” at the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos,
  18. The Beijing China Bilateral Team Weeklong Workshop – 2016 in Beijing, China.
  19. The Arterial Network - International Workshop Conference - Rabat- Morocco, 2015.
  20. The Salvador Bahia Performing Arts Troupes Network Engagement (facilitator - Dr. Felix Ayoh Omidire) - 2016.
  21. The Ahmadabad, India- M. Gandhi Art Museum- Entrepreneurial Art Workshop Interaction- August 2015.
  22. Special Dance –Drama Performance for Nigerian Army Veterans’ Day Celebration at the Presidential Villa Banquet Hall, Aso Rock Villa, Abuja- 2016.
  1. Chairman, Society of Nigerian Artists (SNA) Osun State Chapter. 2012- till date.
  2. Coordinator - (Team of Specialists/Consortium) for Study, Design and Production of Proposal on E-Learning Project for OAU Centre for Distance Learning. 2005
  3. Formed and supervised a team (Consortium) for the design, testing and execution of the Topcem Cement Manufacturing Factory, Ikot Abasi. 2002.
  4. Designed and Remodeled the Ajibulu Moniya Gallery of Ambassador Segun Olusola - Babs Animasaun St. Surulere –Lagos, for an International Exhibition. 1994.
  5. Designed and Coordinated the Publishing of McQuick Short Story Magazine, Lagos (Edited, Prof. Kole Omotoso) 1991.
  6. Designed and Organized Workshop on the making of Cell Drawn Cartoon Animation for the Lagos State Council for Arts and Culture. 1988.
  7. Designed, Completed and shot the first 16mm film (4 minutes) on War against Indiscipline WAI for the Lagos State Council for Arts and Culture. 1986.
  8. Member, Steering Committee, Olojo Festival, under The Ooni of Ife/House Oduduwa- 2017- 2019.
  9. Artistic Director /C.E.O National Troupe of Nigeria. 2014 - 2017.
  10. Member, Organising Committee, CBCIU/State of Osun Government Colloquium- Fundamental Imperatives of Cohabitation: Faith and Secularism- Osogbo, 14th -16th April, 2014.
  11. Member, Organising Committee, CBCIU/State of Osun Government 2014 Take- Off Activity, Themed Egungun Mandela, 15th January, 2014.
  12. Rapporteur- The Platform NGO Symposium/ Ondo State Government, Akure. 7th February, 2013.
  13. Session Chair, Visual Arts, Symposium on the Mediterranean Blue- Italo- Nigerian partnerships in the 4th Lagos Black Heritage Festival, - April 2012.
  14. Member, Organizing Task Force, 3rd Lagos Black Heritage Festival, - June 2008 – April 2010.
  15. Director and Coordinator – Slavery Artifacts Exhibition and International Painting Competition for the 3rd Lagos Black Heritage Festival. April 2010.
  16. Coordinator – Photographic Exhibition- Yoruba Kings and children, for the opening ceremonies, Centre for Black Culture and International Understanding (CBCIU) Osogbo
  17. Member, Organizing Committee, World Yoruba Festival of Arts and Culture (WOFEYAC) 2008.
  18. Member - Committee of Transition, New Culture Studios to New Culture Foundation, Ibadan, December 2005.
  19. Member, Sub-committee - Exhibition and Book launch of Oyinlola Olokuku - Every Inch a King (by Lasisi Olagunju et al.) - at Okuku (Osun State Government) 13th December, 2005.
  20. Board Member and Adviser - Ara Studio and Gallery, Lagos. 2004.
  1. Coordination and Execution of an Exhibition of Photographs in the Faculty of Arts of Brazilian life in honour of Prof. Tavares from University of Fluminese Brazil -December 2006
  2. Coordination and Execution of the 2006 Convocation Exhibition in commemoration of the University’s 34th Convocation Ceremonies. 2006.
  3. Collaborated with the Department of Foreign Languages, designed and produced publicity material and co-ordination of the Exhibition of Black People in Cuban History. The Exhibition featured a Keynote presentation by Prof. Thomas Fernandez Rubaina from Cuba. February, 2009.
  4. Organized the Exhibition of artworks from the gallery collection of the Institute of Cultural Studies, the Department of Fine and Applied Arts for the Send Forth ceremonies of Professor Roger Makanjuola and former Registrar, Mrs. Modupe Ojo. 2007.
  5. Coordination of the Partnership/Linkage between Oodua World Council and Obafemi Awolowo University. 2007.
  6. Facilitation of Exhibition of Paintings and Drawings by the Nigerian Field Society. 6th- 13th June, 2006.
  7. Design and production of Exhibition Brochure and Poster on Gelede and 2005 Ife Festival of the Arts. May 2005
  8. Design and production of Exhibition Brochure: The Face of the Gods-Photographs of Kings, Priests, Icons, and Children taken by Prof. Ulli Beier (1950s – 1960s)- 2007.
  9. Design and production of the Brochure and coordination of advertisement plan of the 2008 OAU Ife International Festival of Arts on “Masks, Masquerades and Marionettes”. 2008.
  10. Sourcing of grant from Messrs First October Ltd. Lagos, to fund interior modification and equipment of a Cyber/ Internet Resource room for the Institute. 2007.
  11. Coordination of the Contemporary Art Exhibition in collaboration with the Dept of Fine and Applied Arts, the 2008 Ife Festival of Arts Exhibition at the Dept of Fine Arts Gallery. April 2008.
  12. Sourcing of Artifacts and coordination of the Artifacts exhibition on Yoruba Masquerade tradition for the 2008 Ife Festival of Arts Exhibition at the Institute of Cultural Studies Art Gallery. April 2008.
  13. Design and Coordination of the Art and Artifacts Exhibition in collaboration with the Dept of Fine and Applied Arts, Special 50th O.A.U. Anniversary MAO Museum Event 20th- 27th November, 2012.
  14. Coordination and Execution of an Art Exhibition themed “In the African Forest”- part of the Fagunwa Colloquium - 25th March, 2014.
  15. Artistic Director the 2018 Ife Festival of Food and Identity- July 30th- 4th August 2018.
  16. Coordination of the Contemporary Art Exhibition in collaboration with the Dept of Fine and Applied Arts, the 2018 Ife Festival of Food and Identity- Theme: 1st August 2018.
  17. Sourcing and Curating of Artifacts from the Wole Soyinka Collection for the 2018 Ife Festival of Food and Identity inauguration of the Wole Soyinka Museum, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile- Ife. July/August 2018.

Archives

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References

Mr. Adejuwon is not only enthusiatic about his work, he is full of very innovative ideas and works exceeding hard. He gets along very well in the group and has a keen sense of humour, attributes which usually mark him out for Leadership role.
Wale Adeniran
Professeur Associe de Culture Africaine, Universite de Parakou, Parakou, Republic of Benin
Mr. Adejuwon proved a great asset to the Festival. His innate skills and ample experience stood him, and Festival, in good stead. I have no hesitation in recommending him.
Wole Soyinka
President's Professor in Residence Professor Emeritus, OAU, Ile-Ife

Contact me

Address:
Institute of Cultural Studies,
Obafemi Awolowo University,
Ile-Ife, Osun State.
E-mail:
mendrafx@yahoo.com
Phone:
+234 (0) 803 944 5330
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