Toluwalase Raymond Awolaja (also known as Tolu Raymond), a contemporary Nigerian visual artist, was born on September 10th, 1997 in Lagos, where he still resides. Tolu’s love for art as a child sparked his interest in it. He began his artistic career at a young age and continued his studies at YABATECH, where he earned an HND in painting. Through his journey, he has been able to develop the ability to unpack his emotions in thought provoking ways.
Tolu believes that art should be a tool for questioning the present and reflecting the times. He wants his art to be able to communicate things that cannot be expressed in words, and to elicit emotions in his audience. His work can be viewed from many different perspectives because he employs various media and techniques, including acrylic, charcoal, and oil. He is inspired by stories from people, conversations, his surroundings, and life in general. He uses his art to communicate with people, educate them, and inform them. He explores themes like identity and self-exploration, among others.