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Ade A. Olufeko

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In thisIjebuname, theYoruba surnameisOlufeko.
Ade Olufeko
Olufeko in CairoEgypt,2017
Born1980 (age 43–44)
Minneapolis,Minnesota, U.S.
Nationality
  • Nigerian
  • American
Other namesAdéolu
Occupations
  • Technologist
  • founder
  • designer
Known forHumanities and innovation, Founding ofVisual Collaborative
Notable workNorth Star(2019)
Remember To Rise(2018)
Awards2003IBMGerstnerAward

Ade Abayomi Olufeko[a](born 1980), is an American-borndesignerandtechnologistprimarily active inLagos,Nigeria. He is known for his international contributions tohumanities.Olufeko has given talks and exhibited in the United States, Africa, Asia, and Europe. His work evolved from direct interactions and collaborations with consortiums,advocacy groups,and artist collectives. He is the founder ofVisual Collaborative,an American platform collaborating with diverse experts on socio-economics.[1]

In 2003, he became a recipient of theIBMGerstnerAward for exceptional service during amalwareepidemic.[b]His multidisciplinary contributions in technology, the creative sector, and speeches at prestigious institutions likeUniversity Of Oxford,Yale University,andHarvard Business Schoolhave received substantial recognition.[2][3]

Early life and education

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Ade Olufeko was born in the city ofMinneapolis.He hails fromIjebulineage, both his parents were active entrepreneurs. He spent his childhood in Lagos, Nigeria, specifically inSurulere,a mainland city, during the country'sSecond Republic.He received his primary education at Unilag Staff School and later attendedSt. Gregory's Collegein Obalende for his secondary education.[4]

In the mid-1990s, he returned to Minneapolis for further studies atCamden High School.During his time there as a student, he served as a guest speaker to hisIBclassmates in English literature, providing insights on themes ofculture shock.For a period, he also resided in the historicStevens Square.He attended Metropolitan State University inSaint Paul,where he pursued studies in Computer Science with a focus on multimedia technologies.

Career

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Work as technologist, IBM and Visual Collaborative

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Olufeko's technology career began during thedot-comera, where he delved intomotion graphics,internet technologies, and hardware while employed at companies like Ameritech, a3MspinoffImation,andIBM.[c]His focus developed into digital strategy andinformation architecture,providing consulting services to diverse industries, including media, technology, health, and finance. Later, he relocated toNew York City,joining the media conglomerateWarner Music Group.Notably, he served as aFront-Endengineer forPayPal,Bank of America, and various American celebrities of different music genres online.[d][1]

In 2007, Olufeko established Visual Collaborative. Since its inception, he has teamed up with more than 150 artists from different cities showcasing their talents.[6] In 2015, he returned to oversee and curate the platform, shining a spotlight on a wide range of artists and multidisciplinary creatives.[7]Then, in 2016, he took a brief break from his role at Visual Collaborative to share his expertise as a management consultant with IBM's Interactive Experience service line, contributing to innovation in the tech industry.[8]

Art

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Style and selected works

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Self-taught as a digital painter and in mixed-media artistry, Olufeko's creative process as anavocationevolved over a decade. His exhibited work exploresAfricanfuturism,experimentalChaos theoryand Counterculture.[9]He is a former member of theSociety for Neuroscience.[10][11]

Adeolu Khafre a brand showcased, is awax print,100% West African madeMancalaAYOboard collection designed by Ade Olufeko

Ayo Mancala

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In 2021, Olufeko created and introduced thewax printversion of the indigenous AYO mancala inAnkarato enter the consumer market with 200 units. The response and reviews were well-covered in local media. In the third quarter of the year, he released theKenteandAdireproduct lines which drew considerable interest outside Nigeria across west Africa and its diaspora.[12]According to audited data, sales of locally made units exceeded 5,000.[13]During thecapital flightin the nation and following a fire outbreak in one of the largest wood communities, part of the sales helped feed numerous artisans and their families.[14][15]

Martial Arts

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Olufeko is a martial arts practitioner, initially starting withWing Chunand later expanding to includeTai ChiandQigong.He deepened his skills under the tutelage ofWudangTaoist Master W. Shizhi against the backdrop ofMount Luofu,in mainlandChina.[16][17]

Selected exhibitions

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  • 2008: Undercurrent Arts,Wynwood Art District,(Miami, Florida)[18]
  • 2011: Queens Gambit, Dual popups inForest Hillsand Fresh Meadows, (New York, New York)[19]
  • 2013: United for Kids Foundation.Whittemore House(Washington D.C.)[20]
  • 2013: United for Kids Foundation,Passion Ball,Civic Center, (Lagos, Nigeria)
  • 2013: Brave is Beautiful. Hudson Terrace (New York, New York)[e][21]
  • 2014: 16th African Business Conference.Harvard Business School(Boston, Massachusetts)

Literary works

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Visual Collaborativepublishing platform:

  • 2019:Polaris,Vol. 1[22][23][24]
  • 2019:Voyager,Vol. 2[25]
  • 2019:Vivencias,Vol. 3[26]
  • 2019:Supernova,Vol. 4[27]
  • 2020:TwentyEightyFour,Vol. 5[28]
  • 2020:Grand Masters,Vol. 7[29]
  • 2020:Eta Carinae,Vol. 10

Awards and recognition

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  • In 2003, Olufeko received theIBMGerstnerAward in Global Business Services[30]
  • In 2017, Keynote speaker atWorld Economic Forum,Young Global ShaperscommunityAbuja[31]
  • In 2018, Young entrepreneur achievement Award (Nigerian American Business Forum)[32]
  • A 2019, Special guest moderator on art and literature atColumbia Universityin New York City[2]
  • In 2019, Special recognition serving as a judge in the University of LagosPAADCdesign competition[11]

Notes

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Wikimedia Commons has media related toAde Olufeko.
  1. ^Simply known as Adé, Pronounced/ɑːˈdeɪ/;ah-DAYYoruba:Adé Olúfẹ́kọ́pronounced[a.déo.lú.fɛ́.kɔ́].
  2. ^For customer excellence andcountermeasureteamwork during theBlaster Wormepidemic.
  3. ^In the earlyaughts,his interactive design work was showcased byadjunctsin selected courses by British training organizationLearndirect.[5]
  4. ^Following theBravebirdalbum and its subsequent releaseMorning,Olufeko contributed digital design and advisory work to Larrieux's record label.
  5. ^On January 17, 2013, several digital paintings by Olufeko were showcased and leveraged at a fundraiser whichSomaly Mamwas guest of honor, this took place at the Hudson Terrace in New York City. The evening brought together influencers and celebrities featuring composers such asChloe Flowersupporting the Somaly Mam Foundation.[21]

References

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  1. ^abTaiwo, Yetunde (March 2012). "Behind the Technology: Super Cool Nerd!".Made Magazine.Vol. 20. Lagos.
  2. ^ab"Columbia University African Business Forum - Panels".Archivedfrom the original on April 5, 2019.RetrievedApril 14,2019.
  3. ^"Ade Abayomi Olufeko: A Mid-career Retrospective of a Multidisciplinary Technologist with Africa's 2020s in view".May 28, 2018. Archived fromthe originalon 2018-05-28.RetrievedJuly 14,2020.
  4. ^"Ade Olufeko/Visual Colabo Q&A".November 11, 2018. Archived fromthe originalon 2018-06-02.RetrievedOctober 12,2019.
  5. ^"Ade Olufeko 2013 Speaker Profile".Social Media Week.Retrieved14 Oct2017.
  6. ^Kristy Samone (September 28, 2012)."Pop Up Art Exhibition".Archived fromthe originalon 2018-02-15.RetrievedFeb 15,2018.
  7. ^"Accomplished visual artist Ade Olufeko weighs in on his work and The Africas - Soundcloud".The Africas.RetrievedJanuary 8,2016.
  8. ^"LBS Africa Business Conference ABC Rolls Out Africa We See Campaign".YNaija.January 27, 2016.RetrievedOct 15,2017.
  9. ^"Abayomi Olufeko"(PDF).NewWebPick.No. 37. Newwebpick ‘Design for Designers’.RetrievedJanuary 3,2018.
  10. ^"SfN Member Detail".Archived fromthe originalon 2019-01-13.RetrievedFeb 10,2019.
  11. ^ab"Sungbo's Eredo Monument Back to Awareness".thisdaylive.Retrieved14 October2019.
  12. ^Guardian Nigeria (4 January 2022)."Recalcitrant conformist succeeds with AYO Mancala to remove analytical biases in strategy".The Guardian (Nigeria).Retrieved9 January2022.
  13. ^"Impact of Adeolu Khafre, a Nigerian brand inspired by heritage monuments".Guardian Nigeria. 9 January 2024.Retrieved11 January2024.
  14. ^"The Velocity of business innovation through design".Vanguard (Nigeria).11 August 2021.Retrieved10 January2022.
  15. ^Our Correspondent (3 January 2022)."Seasoned Technologist Tweaked Physical Ayo Mancala That Fed Artisan Families".Leadership News Nigeria.Retrieved9 January2022.{{cite news}}:|last1=has generic name (help)
  16. ^Adeolu, Tunde (25 September 2023)."Nigerian Executive Expands Martial Arts Prowess with Qigong".This Day.Retrieved30 September2023.
  17. ^"Nigerian-American Polymath Promotes Wellness Through Combat Arts".Leadership.ng.Retrieved30 September2023.
  18. ^"Visual Collaborative Art Exhibition, Miami 2008!".Ladybrille. April 15, 2008. Archived fromthe originalon May 4, 2015.RetrievedJanuary 4,2018.
  19. ^"Local artist finds alternative way to break into the art scene".Knot Move. September 13, 2011. Archived fromthe originalon November 8, 2017.RetrievedJanuary 3,2018.
  20. ^"United for Kids Foundation (UKF) Ambassadors Ball".MP Master Plan events. December 18, 2011.Archivedfrom the original on November 14, 2016.RetrievedDecember 9,2017.
  21. ^ab"Brave is Beautiful at the Hudson Terrace in NYC".January 17, 2013. Archived fromthe originalon December 20, 2017.RetrievedDecember 20,2017.
  22. ^"Bahia Shehab, Bobby Yan, others feature on Visual Collaborative".The Punch.2 April 2019.Retrieved2 May2019.
  23. ^"Ade Olufeko breaks echo-chambers into new levels of awareness".20 November 2020.Retrieved12 January2021.
  24. ^"Tosin Oshinowo, Remi Vaughan-Richards, and other Nigerians featured in online catalogue".This Day.2 April 2019.Retrieved2 May2019.
  25. ^Bankole, Idowu (17 June 2019)."Seun Kuti, Chris Uwaje, others to feature on American platform, 'Visual Collaborative".Retrieved6 July2019.
  26. ^"Dakore Akande, Swaady Martin, Kelli Ali, Adelaide Damoah and Husani Oakley Feature on Visual Collaborative".Odyssey2.Odyssey (publication).Archived fromthe originalon 12 October 2019.Retrieved12 October2019.
  27. ^Onyekwelu, Stephen (4 December 2019)."LIFE & ARTS Nse Ikpe-Etim, William Coupon, others drive creative sector SDG".Business Day.Retrieved12 January2020.
  28. ^Onyekwelu, Stephen (6 May 2020)."Les Nubians, Rika, Chigul, Dakore feature in TwentyEightyFour".Business Day (Nigeria).Retrieved15 May2020.
  29. ^"Robert Greene author of the 48 laws of power speaks with futurist Ade Olufeko".The Guardian (Nigeria).28 December 2020.Retrieved12 January2021.
  30. ^"Techpreneur One on One with Ade Olufeko".Business Day.August 22, 2016.RetrievedNov 18,2017.
  31. ^"Meet The Leader Series".Archived fromthe originalon January 4, 2018.RetrievedJanuary 3,2018.
  32. ^AsuquoE (Feb 5, 2018)."Polymath Ade Olufeko receives Young entrepreneur achievement Award at NABF in Florida, and speaks at Georgetown University in D.C."Talk Media Africa.RetrievedFeb 15,2018.
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