In a cultural landscape where spectacle often competes with substance, Abuja-based mixed media artist Abdulsalam Abdul has carved out a distinctive visual language rooted in survival, identity and the dignity of the overlooked.

Abdulsalam is set to host his highly anticipated first solo exhibition at the renowned Nike Art Gallery. This event, themed ‘NIKE ART GALLERY ABUJA ARTISTS SPOTLIGHT (BEYOND THE GALLERY),’ will take place from August 1st to August 15th. The exhibition promises to showcase a diverse collection of his artistic works, reflecting his unique perspective and talent.

Working with discarded tissue paper rolls, acrylic and found materials, Abdul transforms objects of little perceived value into layered portraits and sculptural compositions that interrogate power, memory and the fluid nature of self. His practice is guided by a philosophy that is both personal and political: to make art for the people who are rarely seen.

In his words: “I’m driven by the fundamental instinct of survival in an environment rife with challenges. In Nigeria, we find ourselves immersed in a landscape colored by pain characterised by poverty, fear, and an ever-present uncertainty that looms over our daily lives. Yet, amidst all of this turmoil, we are also surrounded by resilient individuals who refuse to succumb to despair or defeat. Their strength and determination become a powerful testament to the human spirit.“

That conviction runs through works such as Which Me Today?, Crowned by Choice and The Headless Shopper. Rather than presenting identity as fixed, Abdul depicts it as negotiated assembled from shifting emotions, social expectations and lived realities. Hollow tissue rolls become faces, crowns become symbols of ambition, while grids and coded visual references evoke the structures that determine who is recognised and who remains invisible.

His choice of material is central to the message. By elevating what society discards into compelling works of art, Abdul challenges conventional ideas of worth, suggesting that value lies not in appearance but in lived experience. The fragile paper forms echo the vulnerability of the human condition, while their transformation into commanding portraits speaks to resilience in the face of hardship.

“Through my artistry, I strive to bear witness to these stories and convey the message: I see you. My artistic philosophy is straightforward yet profound: I create art for those whose lives often go unnoticed and who are rarely acknowledged,” he emphasised.

For Abdul, survival is more than a personal story; it is an artistic method. His works reflect the everyday negotiations of ordinary people navigating economic uncertainty, social pressures and the constant demand to perform different versions of themselves. The result is an oeuvre that sits between painting and sculpture, intimacy and social commentary.

At a time when contemporary African art is increasingly engaging questions of identity and belonging, Abdulsalam Abdul’s practice offers a thoughtful contribution. His work invites viewers not merely to admire craftsmanship, but to confront the quiet realities of those who endure, adapt and persist often without recognition. In giving discarded materials a second life, he also restores visibility to those whom society too easily overlooks.