Paintings, Printmaking and Mosaic Installations


All works on yisatheartist.com are copyright protected
Yisa is thankful to Rev. Tim Nielsen for domain
Contact the artist at yisa@shaw.ca
About ‘Peace and Purpose’
Yisa started the mosaic with one glass tile and ended with 10,080 tiles in 42 vibrant colours that tell the stories of ‘Peace and Purpose’. The story merges light with dark. Within the light you will see a dove, a flutist, a rose, and much more. You will also see a shooting star, a Chinese symbol, and a ladder or road, all indicating good things coming out of darkness. More information available on request.
Catherine Rust-Akinbolaji
Artist now makes limited edition prints of the mosaic available
Mosaic: Peace and Purpose
Size: H3.2’ by W16’
Medium: Glass tiles
Peace and Purpose” reveal beauty ...
By: Velma Rust, Paula Leighton and Catherine Rust-Akinbolaji

Yisa Akinbolaji has produced large mosaic works for architectural firms and individuals who commissioned him in Nigeria before immigrating to Canada in 1997. His latest work in Nigeria is The Good Shepherd,  which was installed in Ikeja, Lagos (H21ft by W32) in a limited colour palette. Yisa however, created Peace and Purpose in Winnipeg, Canada using 42 colours of glass tiles, each tile measuring three-quarter square inch. In creating Peace and Purpose, Yisa says he considered that the choice of colours would evoke celebration and inclusion and that was important to him. Peace and Purpose depicts the philosophy of the artist, Yisa Akinbolaji.

The mosaic,  Peace and Purpose measuring H3.2 ft by W16ft, was installed on the front of his house in Winnipeg. The reason why Yisa prefers glass tiles is their versatility. Though the glass tiles he uses are expensive, he guarantees their endurance in harsh climatic conditions. 

Since arriving in Canada in 1997, Yisa has used his colorful artistic approach to express his thought about social and political issues. Yisa is imaginative and speaks profound messages through his art forms, which include oil and acrylic on canvas, printmaking and mosaic. Over the years his work has been featured in the newspapers, discussed on radio, shown on television, and displayed in numerous galleries including the Franco Manitoba Cultural Center and the Winnipeg Art Gallery Juried shows. 

Yisa’s message in Peace and Purpose is depicted for international audience as well as people that will pass by his residence. The concept alone, as explained by the artist, was three months in the making. The tiling and installation took more than two months. ‘If the mosaic I installed in Nigeria, before I travelled to Canada, had taken that long, I would have missed my flight to Canada’, Yisa said. The images in Peace and Purpose dazzle the eye. There are images of bountifulness, serenity and prosperity. The colour usage unleashes the mystery of hope. peace and joy. At this critical time in the world’s history, Yisa’s message in Peace and Purpose provides a challenge for all to see beauty in the ashes.

ARTIST QUOTES:
I paint from dreams and create dreams from which I paint.
I have experimented with various styles of painting as I do not want to be a virgin to any.
Artistic license is now on the tip of the tongue. Yet art without license limits creativity.
The power of a great art piece lies in what the art evokes.
Who God is is reflected in His many creations of which I am one.
What the past was unable to accomplish becomes the challenge of the present and future.
In spite of all that has been made, there are lots more that are yet to be created. 
Yisa Akinbolaji
 Print size: H113/4ins by W36ins
For home or offices- Regular black frame is recommended (You may get frame from Michaels Stores, etc)
Limited edition print of 100 on archival paper signed and numbered by the artist at $120
Of the limited edition, numbers 2,3,4,6,7,8 are already acquired in Winnipeg on June 23. Since then, orders have been placed in both open and limited editions from other parts of Canada and the U.S.. Please note that supply on limited edition will be based on current number at the time of order.
Open edition on archival paper signed by the artist but not numbered - $35
call 1-204-942-7245 or email yisa@shaw.ca for online purchase.
 
Telephone: 1-204-942-7245
Studio: 71 Elsbury Bay, Winnipeg Manitoba
Mosaic original size: H3.2ft by W16ft
Neighbours and guests join the artist in unveiling large mosaic ‘Peace and Purpose’ (H3.2ft by W16ft) at his residence, 71 Elsbury Bay, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. He autographed prints of the mosaic for audience who gathered to take home the mosaic.
Yisa’s art collectors join him in the unveiling
Guests’ view art at the exhibition on the 23rd June
Limited edition of Yisa Akinbolaji's mosaic
ONLINE PURCHASE - Please add cost of frame if required
African-Canadian Visual Artist Home Mosaic News Gallery Photos About Exhibitions Invisible-Dignity Online-store Contact