Modupeola Fadugba Wins Norval Soveriengn African Art Prize 2025 with 'Portrait of an Artist at Ease'

Modupeola Fadugba's winning piece, Portrait of an Artist at Ease, a striking acrylic-on-canvas exploration of identity and self-discovery, earned her a $35,000 cash prize, a 2025 solo exhibition at Cape Town’s Norval Foundation, and a two-week residency with London’s Outset Contemporary Art Fund.

Fadugba’s work, celebrated for its bold interplay of shadow and gold, depicts the artist emerging luminously from a darkened backdrop—a metaphor for resilience and creative awakening. Judges lauded the piece’s “technical brilliance” and its fusion of scientific precision, drawn from her chemical engineering background, with deeply personal storytelling. “This work invites viewers into a dialogue about self-actualization and the universality of human struggle,” remarked Dr. Same Mdluli, a curator and member of the judging panel.

The award marks a milestone in Fadugba’s decade-long artistic journey. A former engineer and economist, she pivoted to art in 2015, channeling her analytical training into vibrant, socially charged narratives. Based in Ibadan, Nigeria, her portfolio interrogates themes of justice, equity, and cultural memory.

Fadugba shared during her acceptance speech:

 “Art is my language for bridging divides—between disciplines, generations, and ideologies.” 

The Norval Sovereign Prize, judged by a panel including Zimbabwean curator Raphael Chikukwa and critic Simon Njami, attracted entries from 28 finalists across the continent. Among them, South African artist DuduBloom More claimed the inaugural FAMM Women’s Prize for her sculpture Contending With Control, earning $5,000 and acclaim for her commentary on gender and power dynamics.

The Norval Sovereign Prize has consistently spotlighted Africa’s artistic vanguard. Past winners include:

• Amina Agueznay (Morocco, 2021): Mixed-media installations blending traditional craftsmanship with modern design.
• Famakan Magassa (Mali, 2023): Figurative paintings exploring migration and cultural hybridity.

All shortlisted works, including Fadugba’s, are on display at the Norval Foundation until April 20, 2025. A concurrent online auction hosted by Strauss & Co. will conclude on March 13, with proceeds funding art education programs across Africa.

Fadugba’s win underscores Nigeria’s burgeoning influence in global contemporary art and reinforces the Norval Prize’s role in amplifying African voices. As her work travels to international stages, it carries forward a legacy of innovation and cultural storytelling.