ARTWITHDEEDS: Opeyemi Arogunmati

#ARTWITHDEEDS: This week, we are excited to spotlight Opeyemi Arogunmati, a Nigerian artist whose work effortlessly blends the worlds of anime, manga, and digital street culture.

Opeyemi’s latest project, Subaru Boys Manga, represents his unique take on the anime and manga worlds. Inspired by his love for anime, video games, and films, the project blends these elements with his personal experiences, offering a fresh, vibrant perspective on themes of identity, culture, and storytelling. The manga draws on the aesthetics and narratives of the anime genre but gives them a contemporary twist, creating a visual language that resonates with both fans of traditional manga and those new to the medium.

The foundation of Opeyemi's creative journey lies in his self-taught exploration of digital art. His passion for creation began during his university years when he stumbled upon Photoshop and a drawing tablet. Intrigued by the potential of these tools, he taught himself how to use them to bring his ideas to life. What began as a personal endeavor quickly caught the attention of fellow creators and streetwear brands, who reached out to him for custom artwork. This marked the beginning of his professional journey, as Opeyemi soon found himself designing for brands and building a portfolio that would lay the groundwork for his career.

His creative process, while chaotic, is full of spontaneity and energy. Opeyemi often starts with simple, random sketches in his sketchbook, allowing his mind to wander and experiment with different ideas. Once he sees something that stands out, he refines it, adding layers of detail and bringing the concept to life. The unpredictability of his process reflects the essence of his work: raw, authentic, and unfiltered. For Opeyemi, the pieces that come from quick, impromptu sketches — those created in five minutes with no references — often turn out to be the most meaningful and personal.

Currently, Opeyemi is preparing for his first solo exhibition in Lagos, where he plans to showcase his work and share the narratives and characters that have shaped Subaru Boys Manga.

His Instagram page, @adgthbyupson offers an ongoing glimpse into the development of his art, where he frequently shares sketches, ideas, and updates on his upcoming exhibition. For those eager to follow his creative journey, Opeyemi’s social media is the best place to stay up to date with his latest pieces and projects.

Through his art, Opeyemi Arogunmati is carving out a unique space where digital street culture and anime collide, challenging conventions and offering a new lens through which to view modern creativity. His work represents the intersection of tradition and innovation, as he pushes boundaries and sparks conversations about the evolving nature of art, storytelling, and identity in today’s digital age.