About the Artist

Lovelyn Tijesunimi-Israel (b. 1991)is a self-taught artist from Nigeria with a background in Computer Science. She worked as a programmer for three years before taking up the challenge of drawing, which sparked her interest in creating art. Her optimistic approach to life now guides her artistic practice, using art as a transformative medium for healing and connection.

As a survivor of mental trauma and a person with undiagnosed ADHD, art became a tool for Lovelyn to examine her memories and walk herself toward healing. Her work, often a form of visual therapy, investigates the intersection of mental health and systemic pressures. Her current research explores the ‘addictive architecture’ of digital debt, using minimalist line art to map the psychological journey from entrapment to recovery.

Inspired by the serendipitous nature of working with lines and the minimalistic styles of Korean artists, Lovelyn embraces experimental fluid techniques that bring spontaneity and creativity into each piece. Her first solo exhibition, "Play and Boundaries: The Lines That Connect Us," held at the Goethe-Institut in Lagos and supported by the Center for Contemporary Art (CCA), marked a significant milestone in her artistic journey, where she realized the profound impact of sharing her vision with others.

Looking ahead, she is eager to expand her practice through residencies like the Saari Residence to deepen her understanding of global artistic expressions and produce new, focused bodies of work. Lovelyn aims to collaborate with galleries to share her work with a broader audience and ultimately establish an art gallery that fosters creativity and serves as a safe space for individuals to engage with art as a form of healing.

Through her practice, she hopes to inspire others to find strength in their stories and cultivate a sense of community and support among those navigating similar journeys.

Education & Fellowships

2024: Fellow, Cohort 3, The Origami Society Nigeria

2012:  BSc, Computer Science – University of Ilorin, Kwara, Nigeria

Solo Exhibitions

2023: Play and Boundaries: The Lines That Connect Us, Goethe-Institut Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria (Supported by the Centre for Contemporary Art, Lagos)

Group Exhibitions

2026 – Ka ọ dị mgbe anyi g'afu ozo (Until We See Next Time), Group Exhibition, Center for Contemporary Art (CCA), Lagos, Nigeria (Forthcoming). 

2025: AACIS ’25: Two Nations, One Rhythm, National Delegation Exhibition, Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis

Professional Experience

2021- Present: Volunteer Curatorial Support, Centre for Contemporary Art (CCA), Lagos, Nigeria

Assisted in curatorial processes and installation for multiple exhibitions, including the international collaboration, Wolfgang Tillmans: Fragile (2022).

Talks, Panels, & Interviews

2025: Panelist, “Opportunities for Artistic & Music Collaborations,” AACIS ’25, Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis

2024: Artist Talk, Play and Boundaries: The Lines That Connect Us, Goethe-Institut Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria

2022: Guest, “My ADHD Story,” Inside D’arena Podcast

2019: Interviewee, “How I Battled ADHD As A Child,” BBC Africa ‘Talk About It’, (Broadcast/Online)

Awards & Delegations

2025: Official Delegate, Nigerian National Delegation to St. Kitts and Nevis for the Agri-Investment and Creative Industries Summit (AACIS)