Kip Omolade

Biography

Originally from Harlem, New York, Kip Omolade began his artistic journey in the world of graffiti, while interning at Marvel Comics and The Center for African Art. He later honed his skills at The Art Students League of New York and earned a BFA from the School of Visual Arts.

Omolade is best known for his vibrant oil paintings of futuristic, mask-like faces—reflections of identity, divinity, and psychological depth. His signature “Diovadiova Chrome” series explores contemporary ideals of beauty and the masks we wear in society. The series title fuses two Italian words: Dio (God) and diva (goddess), symbolizing a divine femininity. The creative process behind each work is as meticulous as it is symbolic: starting with a facial mold of the model, Omolade creates a resin sculpture finished in chrome and detailed with false eyelashes. This hyper-polished object then becomes the basis for his bold, electrifying portraits—works that gleam like liquid metal.

Drawing inspiration from both pop culture and African heritage, Omolade merges the visual language of comic book heroes with traditional African art forms like the Benin ivory masks and Nigerian bronze sculptures. His works have been exhibited in prestigious galleries worldwide and featured at major art fairs such as Art Basel Miami. He has also collaborated with a wide range of cultural figures and global brands—among them 2 Chainz, Nike, Red Bull, and Sony Music. His pieces are part of prominent permanent collections including Viacom, Hallmark Cards, and Principal Financial Group. With his distinctive style and universal themes, Omolade invites viewers to reflect on what lies beneath the surface—blurring the boundaries between myth and reality, performance and essence, self and icon.