With Evocative Wildlife Drawing, Olanrewaju Atanda Rethinks Nature in ‘All About Animals’ Exhibition
Yinka Olatunbosun
The international virtual art showcase All About Animals has officially opened, presenting a global selection of artists whose work honours the emotional, spiritual, and symbolic presence of animals in human life. Among the featured creators is visual artist Olanrewaju Atanda, whose striking colour-pencil artwork on black paper captures the gentle strength and quiet resilience of a deer, an image connected deeply to themes of hope and renewal.
Hosted online by Online Call for Artists through an open, worldwide call, All About Animals is designed to celebrate artistry without borders. The exhibition, which brings together painters, photographers, sculptors, digital artists, and mixed-media makers in a fully accessible virtual environment was besieged by collectors, curators, and nature-art enthusiasts around the world.
As the exhibition continues to attract attention for its inclusive approach, visitors enjoy the aesthetic offerings from both emerging and established artists through a virtual format that removes geographical barriers. Alongside the exhibition, participating artists are being featured through online interviews, offering deeper insight into their creative processes and personal histories.
The exhibition’s curatorial statement describes All About Animals as “a virtual exhibition honoring the spirit and soul of the animal world” one that invites audiences to slow down, look closer, and reconnect with the emotional language of nature.
Atanda’s selected work, Guidance of Hope – colour-pencil drawing of a deer on black paper, is emerging as one of the most quietly powerful pieces in the exhibition. The work portrays the animal with photographic precision while embedding symbolic references to resilience, renewal, community, and guidance, themes commonly associated with seasonal transition and emotional restoration.
“Deer symbolise hope, resilience and strength,” Atanda says. “This work is an invitation to pause, to feel, and to remember the quiet power of nature.”
The artwork’s reflective mood aligns with the exhibition’s broader theme, inviting viewers to consider how animals help mirror our own inner landscapes.
According to the exhibition notes, All About Animals is a tribute to the bond between humans and the wildlife that surrounds us.
“Animals have always meant more than what we see; they are our companions, our comfort, and reflections of our own feelings,” the artistic statement reads.
Viewers will find works ranging from hyper-detailed realism to atmospheric abstraction, each one carrying its own emotional and symbolic weight. Indeed, the virtual format allows audiences to explore the entire collection at their own pace, from anywhere in the world.
Atanda’s work continues to gain visibility through this platform, reinforcing his reputation as an artist working at the intersection of realism, symbolism, and emotional storytelling.
The All About Animals virtual exhibition is currently accessible worldwide, with artworks remaining viewable and available to collectors throughout the duration of the digital show. The exhibition ends this week on December 14. The full collection is available on All About Animals virtual exhibition page on the opencallforartists website.
