Full name: Adabanija Ilias Oladayo
Artist name: Rychmnd Arts
Adabanija Ilias is a self-taught Nigerian artist whose work focuses more on portrait drawings that explores human emotions, identity, and the quiet presence of nature. Raised in Oyo State and now based in Ogun State, he discovered his passion for drawing as a child, inspired by his uncle’s sketches and by classmates who created heroic characters. Limited access to art materials encouraged him to experiment with a simple pen, a tool that has since become central to his creative voice.
Working primarily in ballpoint pen, Ilias builds images through patient layers of line, using portraiture as a way to tell stories that lie beneath the surface of everyday life. His work reflects an interest in resilience, memory, and cultural belonging, inviting viewers to look beyond appearances and consider the feelings and histories carried quietly within people.
He has exhibited his work locally and aims to present it to broader audiences, fostering reflection and dialogue. Through his art, Ilias seeks to create connections, encouraging viewers to recognise fragments of their own experiences in the faces and gestures he portrays.
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Artwork samples
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Available
Echoes of the Soul
USD 987.99
Echoes of the Soul was created with ballpoint pen and explores hidden layers of human emotion beneath the surfaces we sh...
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Artist bio
Adabanija Ilias is a self-taught Nigerian artist whose work focuses more on portrait drawings that explores human emotions, identity, and the quiet presence of nature. Raised in Oyo State and now based in Ogun State, he discovered his passion for drawing as a child, inspired by his uncle’s sketches and by classmates who created heroic characters. Limited access to art materials encouraged him to experiment with a simple pen, a tool that has since become central to his creative voice.
Working primarily in ballpoint pen, Ilias builds images through patient layers of line, using portraiture as a way to tell stories that lie beneath the surface of everyday life. His work reflects an interest in resilience, memory, and cultural belonging, inviting viewers to look beyond appearances and consider the feelings and histories carried quietly within people.
He has exhibited his work locally and aims to present it to broader audiences, fostering reflection and dialogue. Through his art, Ilias seeks to create connections, encouraging viewers to recognise fragments of their own experiences in the faces and gestures he portrays.
