Black History Month: Nigerian artist, Abraham Cole Set for Solo Show on Yoruba Migration, Identity

Yinka Olatunbosun

A solo exhibition deeply rooted in cultural roots and identity thematics is about to light up Dudley Community in Birmingham, UK this October. Titled “Bound by Roots, Divided by Paths,” the show will feature works of UK-based Nigerian artist Abraham Babajide Cole who delves into the narratives of Yoruba migration, resilience, and identity in this visual excursion through history.

The exhibition, which opens on Wednesday, 1st October runs till 31st at Dudley Community Library, Black Country – Birmingham, draws upon Cole’s personal memory and collective history, a reflection on how displacement and diaspora shape notions of belonging and cultural preservation.

The exhibition underscores the layered journeys of the Yoruba people—how traditions endure, transform, and adapt across continents—while highlighting the complexities of identity that arise from migration. Through painting, mixed media, and site-specific works, Cole invites audiences to consider how heritage both unites and divides, weaving together stories of continuity and rupture.

Opening during Black History Month in the UK, the exhibition contributes to the broader dialogue around African legacies in Britain and the importance of reimagining identity within the Black diaspora. By situating Yoruba experiences within this context, Cole’s work resonates with themes of history, memory, displacement, and resilience shared across global Black communities.

Rooted in Yoruba heritage yet shaped by his experience living in the United Kingdom, Cole’s practice bridges personal narrative and collective memory.
His art is both intimate and communal, inviting audiences to reflect on how identity is formed across borders, and how migration continues to define the human story.
While reflecting on the looming exhibition, Cole explained: “This project is about holding memory and movement together, acknowledging the fractures of history while celebrating the resilience of people who carry their culture wherever they go.” For Cole, Africa is not on the margins; it is at the centre of a global village.

Alongside the artworks, Bound by Roots, Divided by Paths will host a community programme throughout October. It will include workshops and discussions designed to bring together local residents, cultural leaders, and artists.
These events aim to create a platform for dialogue around themes of migration, resilience, and identity, highlighting the importance of storytelling in bridging generations and geographies.
By situating Yoruba heritage within the context of Black History Month in the UK, the exhibition connects local communities in the West Midlands with wider African diasporic narratives, offering a space for reflection and celebration.
As a multidisciplinary artist, Cole’s career spans varied areas of practice including painting, drawing, sculpture, and community-based installations.
Trained in Fine Art and Design at Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, he worked for over 15 years as an award-winning creative director before transitioning to full-time studio practice in 2020.
Cole has exhibited internationally, including solo shows such as Suns of Egypt (Blank Wall Gallery, Athens, 2024), Ijinlẹ Ara (The Depth of Self) (Omeka Gallery, Lagos, 2025), and Deep Introspection (ArtRooms Gallery, Birmingham, 2022).
His work often reflects themes of identity, migration, Yoruba spirituality, and collective memory.
He has also developed public commissions such as the Yoruba Heritage mural in Peckham, London (2024) and has collaborated with institutions including The Global Fund and M&C Saatchi London.