BIO
Kemi Oloyede (kxmolo) is an interdisciplinary scientist and artist (they/them). They are based in London and are of British-Nigerian descent.
Their work was born out of boredom during the COVID-19 pandemic (particularly during the first UK lockdown) and was created in efforts to uplift those in the queer Black community.
Kemi holds a Foundation diploma in Art and Design from the University for the Creative Arts and two science degrees.
They are currently pursuing a PhD in 'Clinical Medicine Research' in Environmental Sciences. Although they are now studying, they anticipate the exploration of making meaningful connections between art, science and culture during this time.
Their illustration style can be likened to dynamic comic and manga illustrations, drawing from influences in Black queer culture, Afrofuturism, science fiction, 90s Nollywood references and 90s/2000s anime.
They have a great interest in artwork that encompasses aspects of art and science, and this plays a large theme in their work. They aim to create work that is a visual and cultural display of identity, in conjunction with scientific theory and aesthetics, as well assessing the relationship between them.
The clients Kemi has worked with include BBC, Channel 4, TikTok, Tinder and Ogilvy.
Exhibitions
ROOTED exhibition, a virtual exhibition held by Ogilvy and MediaCom for Black History Month, October 2020
Covert exhibition at the Jubilee Library, Brighton, 21 May - 4 June 2021
Plus X Innovation hub, Brighton, 28 May - 25 July 2021
Neurodivergence exhibition, Neurodivergent Association, Livesey Exchange, 27 October 2021
Live at Livesey, Livesey Exchange, 3 June 2022
Exist Loudly Summer Jam, Copeland Gallery, 11 August 2022
Black Magic, Ugly Duck, 20 August 2022
V&A Friday Late x GUAP, Victoria and Albert Museum, 26 August 2022
Permanent Temporary, London Design Festival, Pem People/SUM Weekly, 24 - 25 September 2022
Art as Expression, Creative Mentor Network, 12 - 28 October 2022
Press
Buzzfeed | 15 Talented Black Artists You Should Know About
Chapter Z | YOUNG, BLACK & IN STEM: KEMI OLOYEDE
Tinder Gives Iconic Queer Memes A Major Glow Up