Ruth Agbolade is steadily carving her place as one of the most inspiring emerging voices in the arts—an artist whose creative journey spans continents, mediums, and missions.

From her early beginnings in Nigeria as a painter of custom backdrops for photographers to her present-day impact as a visual storyteller, upcycling activist, and community art leader in the UK, Ruth’s work is a powerful expression of resilience, spirituality, and transformation.

As a multidisciplinary artist, Ruth draws deeply from biblical themes and personal faith, creating vibrant, mosaic-like paintings filled with abstract faces, symbolic patterns, and stories of hope and redemption.

Her ability to translate spiritual and emotional journeys into visual art sets her apart, with each piece inviting viewers into reflection and connection. Her unique style is a testament to both her artistic skill and her commitment to making meaning from the mundane.

Ruth’s journey took a bold turn in 2019 when she launched a business in Nigeria crafting double-sided canvas backdrops for studio photographers.

Her entrepreneurial flair and eye for design quickly gained recognition, and the venture thrived—until her move to the UK for a master’s degree in marketing. Even as she pursued academic excellence, her art never left her side.

While at the University of Bradford, Ruth served as the President of the Visual Arts Society. In this role, she not only led the society but also organized and participated in several exhibitions, painting sessions, and community art events that championed creativity, inclusivity, and cultural exchange.

Under her leadership, the society collaborated with the Theatre in The Mill Gallery II and marked World Sustainable Day by creating a 5-foot-square art piece from over 550 waste plastics, showcasing her deep commitment to sustainability.

In recognition of her positive social impact within the university community, Ruth received the UBU Kickstart Award

Now based in the north of England, Ruth wears many hats. She is the founder of Upcycle Art CIC, a community interest company dedicated to sustainability and creative reuse.

Through this platform, she transforms discarded paper boxes and packaging into powerful sculptural pieces, breathing new life into what would otherwise be waste. Her commitment to environmental consciousness is not only artistic but deeply practical—inviting others to see beauty where they once saw rubbish.

In 2024, Ruth was selected as one of twelve artists for the highly competitive UNBOUND artist development program, funded by Wakefield Council and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority —an initiative supporting early and mid-career artists in public art and mural commissions across Wakefield and West Yorkshire, this program strengthened Ruth’s experience in delivering public art commissions.

One of her most impactful projects to date is an ongoing exploration of resilience, developed in partnership with three community centers serving asylum seekers and refugees. In this collaborative work, Ruth uses painting and sculpture to help participants express their personal definitions of resilience.

As a community art facilitator, Ruth’s approach is relational, empathetic, and empowering. Her workshops emphasise storytelling, co-creation, and healing through expression. Ruth’s ability to hold space for others is central to her creative ethos.

Ruth also played a pivotal role in the Bradford African Festival of Art (BAFA) 2024, where she served as the Producer and Curator of the art exhibition segment. This role marked a significant milestone in her curatorial career, as she led the vision, planning, and execution of the entire exhibition experience.

In August 2025, Ruth is set to take on a new challenge—curating her first full-scale art exhibition as part of the Bradford African Festival of Art. She will serve as the lead artist, curator, and producer, bringing together works that celebrate African heritage, resilience, and contemporary creativity.

This marks a significant milestone in her journey, showcasing her ability to not only create but also organize and elevate the voices of others in the art world.

Her photography project Irin Ajo (meaning “journey” in Yoruba) reflects the personal nature of her work. Through still images, she captures identity, transitions, and belonging—often inspired by the experiences of migration and spiritual search.

As with her paintings, her photographs evoke emotion, tell stories, and document lived realities in a poetic, compelling way.

Ruth’s impact has been recognized with several prestigious awards. In 2024, she received the Start-Up of the Year Award at the Yorkshire Black Business Awards for her innovative art photography practice.

She was also honored with the GAB Future Gem Award in London for her contribution to promoting a positive image of Africa through visual storytelling.

Additionally, she earned nominations for the Berlin Arts Award and the African Creative Entrepreneur Awards, cementing her position as a rising force in the global creative industry.

Ruth Agbolade is a woman of many layers—artist, entrepreneur, educator, advocate. At the heart of it all is her belief in the power of creativity to transform people and places.

Whether through painting, sculpture, photography, or community engagement, she uses her gifts to build a more reflective, sustainable, and compassionate world.

As her journey unfolds, one thing remains clear: Ruth Agbolade is not just creating art—she is shaping culture, one recycled box, one brushstroke, one story at a time.