When people ask about my favorite artists or who inspires me, the word “thrust” comes to mind—much like the surge an aircraft needs to defy gravity. It reminds me of the first time I visited MoMA in New York back in the summer of 2010, a pivotal moment when a single artwork unleashed in me an intense motivation to contribute to the artistic conversation.
It also takes me back to my fluid dynamics class in college. As someone fascinated by engineering, I’m drawn to the idea of aircraft and rockets—objects that overcome inertia by harnessing tremendous energy. As humans, we have our own latent potential. Sometimes, that creative spark—whether internal or external—acts as the fuel that powers us upward.
Below are five artists whose works have fueled my desire to defy inertia, stoke my creativity, and remind me why I create.
Twin Seven Seven (T77)
Blessed Hunter (1990; Ink on plywood)
Growing up in Lagos, I often saw Twin Seven Seven’s art hanging in relatives’ living rooms and hallways. As a Yoruba person, I know how deeply idiomatic our expressions can be, creating memorable ways to preserve ancestral wisdom across generations. T77’s work—featuring layers of wood panels and interwoven human and animal figures—exudes a delicate geometric abstraction that weaves timeless stories. His pieces always left me with more questions than answers, which I believe sparked my insatiable curiosity in both art and technology.
Mark Rothko
Four Darks In Red (1958)
If T77 provided the latent fuel for my artistic journey, Rothko was the ignition. When I first visited MoMA in 2010, I spent a solid 15 minutes transfixed by one of his paintings. The freedom of expression and large panes of color opened a level of depth I’d never experienced via magazines or smartphone screens. That moment triggered a wave of new questions—particularly about how my engineering background could cross into artistic expression. Soon after returning from New York, I painted my first artwork in my dorm room.
Mikalene Thomas
Afro Goddess Looking Forward (2015, Rhinestones, acrylic, and oil on wood panel)
One of my biggest challenges in the studio is infusing my work with emotionally charged materials in a way that amplifies the narrative rather than serving as a decorative afterthought. Mickalene Thomas not only understands this challenge—she elevates it. I love how her use of rhinestones echoes the fabrics and embellishments celebrated in Yoruba culture. I still remember helping my mother lay out her ceremonial bubus and watching a few of these sparkling stones fall to the floor. Mickalene’s ability to honor personal heritage and push creative boundaries inspires me to do the same.
Chris Ofili
Adoration of Captain Shit & The Legend of the Black Stars (Oil, acrylic, polyester resin, paper collage, glitter, map pins, and elephant dung on linen)
Water has always fascinated me: from watercolor painting in art class to swimming as a sport, it’s a medium I respect and explore. Chris Ofili creates lush scenes of Black identity, sexuality, and servitude through a blend of abstraction and human figures—themes that resonate powerfully with my own work. Seeing how he layers his paintings and manipulates materials has pushed me to think differently about my own process, especially regarding color flow and texture.
Zak Ove
The Mothership Connection (2021)
Zak Ové offers a playful, Afro-futurist twist on African aesthetics, often referencing masks and geometric patterns. With my background in technical drawing and engineering, I’m always seeking non-traditional ways of making art. Zak’s breadth of exploration—whether in sculpture, installation, or technology—stands as an example of boundary-pushing creativity that aligns with my interest in fusing traditional heritage with modern innovation.
Each of these artists has, in one way or another, kept me fueled and inspired. Their works remind me that our potential is vast, and often all we need is a jolt of motivation—like thrust under a rocket—to propel us forward. By drawing on what they’ve built, I’m able to explore new frontiers in my own art, merging heritage, technology, and imagination in ways that keep my creative engine running.
