Yisa Akinbolaji

Yisa Akinbolaji

Details:

Visual arts

Grade Level: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

Language: english, Yoruba

Regions: Interlake, Westman, Central Plains, Pembina Valley, Eastman, Capital Region

Contact:

Phone Website

Biography

Yisa Akinbolaji, former college Art educator, and a full-time visual artist is based in Winnipeg. He has developed a unique technique of painting by using special removable glue he invented known as Remoglue. He achieved this from his extensive experimentation in painting and printmaking. His painting titled, "Wisdom Thread" (2013) is used in the Govt. of Alberta Education Curriculum page 31, Fine Arts - Draft Visual Arts K - Grade 6. The artist has received two Manitoba provincial awards. He has exhibited internationally. Following the successful exhibition of his technique in New York in 2011, Yisa was featured on the cover of Art Business News. Yisa originally from Nigeria is the recipient of Manitoba 150, Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal. Yisa's work is in collections, which includes the Province of Manitoba, Canada Life, and several international diplomats. Yisa obtained MFA from the University of North Dakota and a diploma in Graphic Design from Red River College.

Media

Yisa Akinbolaji work sample Yisa Akinbolaji work sample Yisa Akinbolaji work sample

Project Samples

Using acrylic and Remoglue is as fun as creating a mosaic

I would like to develop the detailed teaching plan with school art teacher. My workshop with École Harrison in Brandon is on the theme of "If I were a Circle". I will teach how to use Remoglue, the medium I developed for my paintings. The Elements and Principles of design will also be studied from the project. Every student is to use circle/s for composition. I will show examples of my works, "Wisdom Thread" (2013) which is used in the Govt. of Alberta Education Curriculum page 31, Fine Arts - Draft Visual Arts K - Grade 6.

Using Yisa's Remoglue to develop a great painting

Paint the surface of your substrate (canvas) with light colour of paint if you are sure the white substrate has been primed. Draw on the canvas with Yisa's Remoglue to be supplied. Then paint on top of the dried Remoglue with colour which is darker than one used for the background. You can repeat the process before you peel off the Remoglue. Done! I would like to develop the detailed teaching plan with school art teacher. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQgyQZJjbSw

How to develop a painting or mosaic concept with ease

To be a successful Technologist, Engineer, even a Doctor or an Artist, I believe you should develop your confidence and creativity. If a beginner, you may first sketch and see if you are happy with your concept. With experience in using colours (paint) considering their shades and values, one can do without sketching. I would like to develop the detailed teaching plan with school art teacher. https://yisagallery.com/workshop.html

Testimonials

Our classroom’s experience was full of fun and learning. I particularly enjoyed how Yisa taught the students about the importance of planning and visualization when creating art. Their favourite part was peeling off the Remoglue to uncover the hidden layers of paint. The room was filled with exclamations of delight and wonder as their final art piece was revealed. The students also enjoyed the opportunity to tour other classrooms to see how the feeling of the art changed when using Remoglue!

—Melanie McComb, École Harrison

We feel so fortunate for the opportunity to work with Yisa Akinbolaji. Our grade 3-6 students studied his work before our week with him. Yisa was positive and passionate about education in general. He was organized in his delivery. The students learned about planning and creating art based on a given theme. They loved implementing the Remoglue and thrilled to reveal their work. Bringing all 150 students into the gym to share and compare paintings and colours was exciting and rewarding.

—Marla Fontaine, at École Harrison

Yisa Akinbolaji presented a fun and creative workshop to CAG on Feb 20. Yisa came very well prepared with examples of his beautiful paintings and allowed members to “unveil”. During demonstrations, Yisa stressed the principles of underpainting as a means to abstraction, how to apply Remoglue in multiple stages, and the importance of good composition in art. A very helpful critique of our painting efforts took place at the end. Thank you Yisa, for a very well organizes and stimulating day!

—Roberta Thomas, CAG