Olaseinde Odimayo, Connector of Nigerian Art World, Dies at 75

The Nigerian art world mourns the loss of Olaseinde Odimayo, a pivotal, albeit often behind-the-scenes, figure who passed away on June 17 at the age of 75. Odimayo was instrumental in building Nigeria's art ecosystem, dedicating his life to bridging the gap between artists and collectors, fostering patronage, and creating opportunities for talent.

His influence was widely acknowledged last December at a celebration of his 75th birthday, where collectors, gallery owners, artists, and admirers gathered to honor his contributions. While not an artist himself, Odimayo was recognized as one of the indispensable connectors essential for artists to find their audience and for the art market to flourish. His passing marks the end of an era that began when Nigeria's art market was still in its infancy.

Odimayo's journey into the art world was unconventional. After earning a degree in German and achieving success in the corporate sector, he left a stable position as a managing director to pursue his passion for art. This decision, made when the art market offered no established path for dealers, baffled many. He later recalled, "I let my heart lead me." A significant turning point was his collaboration with Folabi Kofo Abayomi in 1982, where they identified the challenge artists faced in reaching collectors and began working to address it.

“

I let my heart lead me.