Olaolu Slawn

Olaolu Slawn, born in Lagos, Nigeria in 2000, is a London-based multidisciplinary artist and designer known for his vibrant, irreverent style that bridges street culture, pop art, and contemporary painting. Slawn first gained attention through his work in skate culture and fashion, co-founding the Lagos-based streetwear brand Motherlan before relocating to the UK. His paintings, often rendered in spray paint and acrylic, are characterised by cartoonish figures, satirical messaging, and bold colour palettes, frequently referencing consumerism, celebrity culture, and identity. Slawn’s meteoric rise has seen his work collected by major private collectors, and his market presence has become increasingly robust, with works selling at Phillips and Sotheby’s auctions—often above estimate. He gained further prominence in 2023 when he was commissioned to design the BRIT Awards trophy, making him one of the youngest artists to do so. Though relatively new to the institutional circuit, his distinct aesthetic and cultural relevance have positioned him as a rising figure in the international contemporary art scene, with a fast-developing and liquid secondary market.