Yisa’s painting technique evokes layered stories and aids in expanding deeper narratives.

Sun, 25 Jan 2026 22:26:01 +0000

Yisa Akinbolaji is a dedicated visual and experimental artist with a deep commitment to social engagement through his work. As the founder of the Creative Foundation Inc. in Winnipeg, he has championed the idea that an artist’s role extends beyond the studio and into the heart of the community. His belief in art as a tool for change was exemplified by his donation of the mosaic installation Peace and Purpose to the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) in support of its mission. In 2010, CNIB’s appraiser valued the piece at $25,000.

The unveiling of Peace and Purpose was a distinguished event, graced by Manitoba’s 24th Lieutenant Governor, Hon. Philips S. Lee, and Nigeria’s High Commissioner to Canada, Prof. Iyorwuese Hagher, who traveled from Ottawa for the occasion. Akinbolaji’s artistic journey continued to gain international recognition when he participated in two major exhibitions in New York in November 2011. That same year, he was featured on the cover of Art Business News, highlighting his groundbreaking painting technique using "Remoglue", a medium he invented. The exhibitions—Artists Project New York and Art Expo New York—brought together over 2,000 artists worldwide. His innovative approach has since led to the development of a unique water-based flexible gun for contemporary painting.

Yisa with an MFA in Visual Arts (Painting, Printmaking, and Art History) with experience in Sculpture, Textile and Ceramics has exhibited widely, with his early debut at the National Museum in Lagos (1983). Before immigrating to Winnipeg, Canada, in 1997, Akinbolaji was acknowledged for his contributions to Nigerian art with his inclusion in Nigerian Artists: A Who's Who and Bibliography (1993), published by the Smithsonian Institution Libraries in Washington, D.C.

From 1988 to 1997, he taught Fine Art at Lagos State Model College, Badore, and also served as an adjunct instructor in Drawing and Painting at Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education, Ijanikin, under the leadership of Dr. Deinde Agoro. His expertise has led him to conduct workshops for professional artist groups across North America. Additionally, he held the position of Art Director at Indian Life Ministries from 2001 to 2011.

Akinbolaji, a former president of the Manitoba Society of Artists, has received numerous awards, and his work resides in both private and public collections worldwide. He was appointed to the board of the Manitoba Arts Council on October 12, 2010, serving three consecutive terms until October 2019.