Yusuf Ayokunle Dongo

BIOGRAPHY

​

Originally from Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, Nigeria, Yusuf Dongo is a multidisciplinary artist with a deep passion for his culture, the environment, and craftsmanship. He grew up and was educated in Ogun State, earning a degree in Fine and Applied Art from Obafemi Awolowo University in 2017.

Currently based in the United Kingdom, Yusuf completed his master’s degree in Fine Art at De Montfort University. He specializes in upcycling and repurposing, with some of his early works utilizing scrap metal to reduce pollution and waste. He is drawn to found objects and discarded automobile parts, transforming them into intricate sculptural pieces that often feature animalistic or symbolic elements. Yusuf describes this process as ‘turning scrap to luxury.’

Yusuf is an alumnus of STEAMhouse, affiliated with Birmingham City University, and has been active in facilitation since joining the Eastside Projects EOP program. He is also a member of the local collective BRMTWN, which marks his initial steps into art-making and social practice. His work is part of an ongoing effort to build Black British culture in Birmingham, aiming to create healthier associations and identification with the group identity by establishing new rites of passage and commemorating Black presence in the country, both historically and speculatively.

Yusuf's flexible practice allows him to explore ideas in various ways and create art wherever he is, regardless of the theme or medium. His works are designed to capture attention and spark conversation in society at large. He has exhibited his art in both Nigeria and the UK.