Lasisi Lamidi; A Multidisciplinary Artist

Lasisi Lamidi is an indigene of Offa, in Offa Local Government Area of Kwara State, born on the 4th of September, 1966. He studied at the premier Zaria Art School, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, acquiring a degree in fine art in 1990, MFA in sculpture in 1998, and a doctorate degree (PhD) in sculpture in 2015, all at the same institution. He joined his alma mater as a lecturer in the Sculpture Section in 2005, and since then, Lamidi has lectured and practiced art there; he is currently a professor. Lamidi has participated in different groups and solo exhibitions both nationally and internationally. Some of such exhibitions include; Artifacts; An exhibition of Man-made Objects, held at Avant-Garde Gallery, 10 Giwa Road, Abakpa, Kaduna (1990); Burning the Bridges: Exhibition of Paintings and Sculptures, held at Alliance Francaise, 10c Umaru Gwandu Road Malali, GRA, Kaduna (1996) ;Accident and Design, Gani Odutokun and his Influence, held at Brunei Gallery, School of Oriental and Africa Studies, Russell Square, London (2000) ; Insight: An exhibition of Paintings and Sculptures, held at Zaki Club Kaduna (2005) ; Sketches in Colours: Lasisi Lamidi An exhibition of drawings held at the Department of Fine Art Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, (2008) ; Another Santi Exhibition of Paintings and Sculptures, held at Thought Pyramid Art Gallery, Abuja (2012) ; Art Staff Exhibition held at the Department of Fine Art Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (2016); and recently, An exhibition of Art and Design, Art Fair North Zone, A collaboration of National Gallery of Art, Abuja and the Department of Fine Art Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria at Nigeria Air Force Club (NAF ), Kaduna (2017), and several between 2018-2026 and the most recent, is Materiality and Socio-cultural Visioning: An Exhibition of Artworks held at Kashim Ibrahim Library, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria on 4^th September 2026

Lamidi has done several commissioned works for private individuals and corporate organizations; they include Justice (Metal Sculpture) ECOWAS, Abuja (2002); Signage Writing at the Entrance of Nigerian Military School, Zaria, Kaduna State. (2003) ; Logo (Fibre Glass), Central Bank of Nigeria, Enugu (2006); Children play form at Kingdom Heritage Model School, Kwangila, Zaria, Kaduna State (2016). The following are also group commissions in which Lamidi participated: metal sculpture of Ants on Pyramids, Faculty of Medicine Roundabout, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (2016); Metal flower and lizards on Pyramids, Pharmacy roundabout Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (2017). Consequently, Lamidi, in his use of metal and mixed media art, has done several explorations of sculptures, among them are; the combination of wood and steel to produce figures; use of canvas and paper to clad sculptural figures to produce sculptural figures, most of which are usually in simplified forms.

Plate i, Initiation Dance ii, Lasisi Lamidi, Mixed Media, 2014, 140 cm. Source: Artist Collection

Lasisi Lamidi is a distinguished sculptor, painter, and installation artist who trained and is presently practicing with the Zaria Art School, Ahmadu Bello University. He has developed a multidisciplinary practice, rooted in material exploration, philosophical inquiry, and social engagement. Influenced by the enduring legacy of his late uncle and mentor Gani Odutokun, Lamidi has also maintained a strong level of independence, which has helped him to develop his own artistic identity. His practice moves across different media and explores issues relating to contemporary Nigerian society. In recent years, his works have addressed concerns such as insecurity, leadership, economic hardship, religious consciousness, and collective hope. Through the use of everyday materials, symbolic forms, and conceptual approaches, Lamidi demonstrates how art can move beyond aesthetic appreciation and become a means of social reflection and dialogue.

Plate ii, Begging Amidst Plenty, Lasisi Lamidi, Installation, Mixed Media, 53 x 84 cm, 2024. Source: Artist Collection.

Having undergone formal training at the Zaria Art School for his three degrees, with drawing as one of the very core subjects of the curriculum, which has remained an important part of Lamidi’s artistic development. The emphasis on freedom of expression associated with the Zaria Art School has also encouraged him to explore different creative directions and develop his individual artistic voice. Consequently, Lamidi has moved drawing beyond its conventional role as a preparatory tool for sculpture and painting and developed it as an independent form of artistic expression. Over the years, drawing has become an important part of Lamidi’s artistic identity. His drawings reflect his interest in experimentation, materiality, social realities, and personal expression. They also provide an important entry point into understanding the broader development of his artistic practice.

Lasisi Lamidi is one of the consistent and dedicated artists presently at the Zaria Art School. Over the years, he has produced numerous drawings using different media, techniques, and styles. His continued drawing exploration demonstrates the important place it occupies within his artistic practice. One noticeable feature of some of Lamidi’s drawings is the use of elongated forms; this approach can be linked to the influence of the Italian-Swiss artist Alberto Giacometti, particularly his exploration of elongated forms in sculpture. Lamidi, however, clarifies that Giacometti’s influence on him relates primarily to his sculpture and not directly to his drawings. According to Lamidi, “Giacometti’s idea of elongation in sculpture influenced me and not his drawings. But I decided to adapt the idea of elongation in my drawings.” Thus, although the influence originated from his sculptural practice, Lamidi adapted the idea of elongation into his drawings and developed it as part of his own artistic identity.