Gbadamosi deepens 3D with surreal compositions, relatable concept

Rasheed Gbadamosi is a Nigerian 3D artist known for his surreal compositions, which often depict black characters within vibrant environments. He has developed a unique visual language that evokes various emotions through relatable concept art. He holds a master’s degree from Middlesex University, London, where he focused on graphic design. This formal training helped develop key principles, which he continues to build upon through experimentation with his ongoing practice.

Drawing inspiration from his environment, emotional experiences and video games, Rasheed’s work explores themes of transformation, identity and many more. Each piece is meant to evoke curiosity and deep reflection. Inviting viewers to interpret and find personal resonance within the work.

On how he encountered 3D, he had this to say: “In my final year at the university, that was when the COVID-19 lockdown happened, I was in Ghana and suddenly had a lot of free time to myself. I decided to learn something new and because I’m a huge fan of gaming I leaned towards 3D so I could have a glimpse into a portion of how games are made and that’s where it all started. Over the duration of the lockdown I practiced and honed my skills and in the long run it paid off heavily as in late 2021 during the peak of the NFT (digital collectibles) hype, I was selling my work for thousands of dollars that eventually went towards paying for my master’s degree in London, where I currently live.”

Since he began he has gone on to exhibit as part of several group shows in different countries, across different continents. He has participated in Art Basel Miami 2021, in Partnership with FTX, Miami, United States; NFT. NYC 2022, in partnership with Coinbase & Lethabo Huma, New York , United States and Google Black History Month, in 2022, at London, United Kingdom and Mona Gallery, also in 2022, in Lisbon, Portugal.

In his 3D process, Rasheed combines basic colour theory with exquisite world building to create pieces that are both visually arresting and relatable. The process is often intuitive, allowing spontaneity and emotion to guide each piece’s evolution, resulting in work that feels raw.

How does he approach the concept of colour in his work, especially given the vibrant environments he creates?

Rasheed says, “colour is one of the most powerful tools in my work. I approach it intentionally, using it not only to create visual impact but also to evoke emotion, tell stories, and build immersive environments. Here’s how I think about colour in my process: I choose colour palettes based on the mood or emotion I want to convey. For example, warm, vibrant hues like gold, pink, and oranges evoke joy, vitality, or a sense of magic, while deeper, cooler tones like greens and blues bring calm, introspection, or mystery. I often blend contrasting tones to create tension or balance, reflecting the complexity of emotions in the scene.”

The vibrant environments he creates are often a backdrop to emphasise his characters. “I use complementary or contrasting colours around them to draw attention to their presence, ensuring they stand out while remaining part of the world. The interplay between skin tones and surrounding colours is especially important to me, as it creates a harmonious yet striking composition that celebrates beauty and individuality.”

He adds, “I push beyond realistic colours to heighten the sense of fantasy and surrealism. By using unexpected or exaggerated hues in skies, foliage, or objects, I create dreamlike worlds that feel otherworldly yet emotionally resonant.”

Rasheed is inspired by a lot of things so his creative process varies for each piece he has worked on, sometimes, his work is inspired by music, “often instrumentals of a piano, violins and sometimes chants. Some of these sounds evoke certain feelings or moods and I try to visualise what that sound looks like to me and it results in a new artwork. I’m also inspired by my own personal feelings & experiences, my artwork ‘Self care’ was made as a visual reminder to always take care of myself regardless of my situation.  On the technical side of my process, I start by visualising what my character would look like and then I build the world that I want them to exist in. The world that I feel best visualises the mood / feeling of the piece.”

Through his compositions, he evokes a mix of emotions—wonder, introspection, empowerment, connection, and, most importantly, relatability. He says, “I want viewers to feel like they are stepping into another world, one that is vibrant and surreal, but still grounded in emotions and experiences they can identify with. The wonder comes from the magical elements I incorporate — glowing threads, dreamlike colors, or objects that defy reality. These elements are there to inspire a sense of awe and imagination, encouraging viewers to look beyond what’s tangible and step into a realm of infinite possibility.”

At the same time, he strives to create moments of introspection and reflection. According to him, “my characters often carry subtle, deeply personal expressions or body language that speak to universal emotions — vulnerability, resilience, joy, or longing. By layering these emotions into my work, I hope viewers can find pieces of themselves within the scenes, allowing them to pause and reflect on their own journeys and inner worlds. Even in the most fantastical settings, I aim to keep that emotional core intact.”

For the artist, who uses Daz Studio, Marvelous Designer, Blender and Photoshop and after effects for his 3D art creation, he says, “I hope my work will be remembered as a celebration of imagination, identity, and connection—a body of art that challenges boundaries and offers new ways of seeing. I want future generations to look at my work and feel that it was fearless in its exploration of Black identity, surrealism, and the human experience. Through vibrant colors, rich textures, and deeply personal storytelling, I want my art to inspire others to dream, to question, and to see the beauty in themselves and the world around them.”

For future generations, he hopes his work becomes a source of inspiration and reflection — something that sparks creativity and introspection in others. He wants them to see it as a testament to the power of blending the surreal with the relatable, and the extraordinary with the everyday. If his work encourages someone, decades from now, to embrace their own creativity, to feel seen, or to imagine a better, more inclusive world, then he would have accomplished something truly meaningful.

Gbadamosi’s work is deeply influenced by Afrofuturism, a movement that merges cultural heritage with futuristic and speculative narratives. “Afrofuturism inspires me to reimagine Black identity in ways that transcend time, space, and traditional boundaries. It allows me to place black characters in surreal, limitless worlds where they are celebrated, central, and thriving, pushing against the historical lack of representation in these spaces. This influence drives my desire to create art that is both empowering and transformative,” he says.