Dotun Popoola, a contemporary Nigerian artist and sculptor, is making waves in the art world with his unique approach to creating art pieces from discarded scrap metals. Born in 1981 in Lagos, Popoola specializes in synergetic metal sculpting, transforming trash into treasures, rubbish into rubies, and waste into wealth by repurposing wastes that threaten the ecosystem.

Popoola’s educational background in art is impressive. He holds a national diploma in painting and general art from Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi, Edo State, which he obtained in 2004. He furthered his education at Obafemi Awolowo University, where he earned his first and second degrees in fine and applied arts, specializing in sculpture and painting respectively.

As a resident artist in Lopez Studio in Lemmon, South Dakota, Popoola travels between the United States and Nigeria to paint commissioned murals. He has also served as a curator at the National Gallery of Art. Popoola’s preferred medium is scrap metal, and his favorite way to use it is to create animal forms.

Some of his notable works were exhibited in ART X Lagos, and he had a solo exhibition called “Irin Ajo” (Journey) in Signature Beyond Art Gallery, Lagos, where he presented around 24 metal works of his.

In a heart-wrenching Instagram post, Popoola shared the story of a beautiful sculpture of an African woman he created using brown and green computer chips. The sculpture took two years to build, but unfortunately, a strong wind destroyed it in just minutes. However, Popoola did not give up. He changed materials and rebuilt the sculpture for another 300 days.

Popoola’s dedication to his craft and his commitment to turning trash into treasure are truly inspiring. His unique approach to art has earned him recognition, and his passion for creating something beautiful from discarded materials is a testament to his creativity and perseverance.