For the artist Babatunde Tribe, art is their vehicle of exploration and communication, their weapon of subversion that unfetters them from social conservatism and offers them the liberty to think, to express and to create especially as a queer and non-binary person living in Nigeria. In 2021, Babatunde began art as a form of therapy and ever since they’ve become one of the artists in Nigeria freely opened to the charming expressiveness and documentation of LGBTQ+ Nigerian experiences and stories through paintings and digital illustrations. “Creating art centred around queer lives and experiences holds immense significance for me due to its power to amplify voices often marginalised or silenced. As a member of the queer community, I understand the importance of representation and the impact it can have on fostering understanding, empathy, and societal change,” says Babatunde.
But far from active queer representation through brushstroke and canvas, Babatunde’s art is a form of activism, a necessary SOS that analyses what it’s like to be queer in Nigeria in this era where everything is programmed to be against the community. It’s this frustration that motivates their vision; the awful ways queer people are treated but also the way queer individuals make space for themselves, and Babatunde has tried to find the perfect balance to create art pieces that capture both these pains, these joys and the overall reality of the community, so that the future can have a good record to reminisce over. “I envision my art becoming a historical record,” Babatunde says. “20 years from now, when a student or researcher delves into what it was like being queer in 2024, my art will serve as a vivid snapshot of those experiences. It’s my contribution to preserving our history and making it easily accessible for future generations.”
For Babatunde, navigating life as a queer person in a country like Nigeria isn’t easy. They continue to face physical and online biases due to their expression. However, this has fuelled their determination for advocacy and as much doesn’t limit their artistic strength, rather adds to it and contributes to their resilience and joy. “Absolutely documenting queer stories through art brings me immense joy. It’s a powerful way to amplify voices, share diverse experiences, and contribute to a more inclusive narrative. Art has the ability to evoke empathy, challenge perceptions, and foster understanding. Through this process, I find purpose in advocating for equality and highlighting the beauty of diversity within the queer community.”
