Artist Statement
Kamorudeen Toluwani Aruna is an emerging Afro-surrealist visual artist and photographer whose work bridges the worlds of reality and imagination through a deeply personal and cultural lens.
Born in Lagos, Nigeria, and educated in Toronto, Ontario, Aruna draws on West African artistic traditions—particularly influences from Nigeria, Benin, and Ghana.
His practice and inspirations are broken into three parts:
His Theme – which is - Afro-surrealism, a fusion of African culture and surrealism.
His Narrative – which is our, Everyday emotions such as joy, sorrow, resilience, curiosity, and the states in between.
and His Subject matter – which is childhood because, Children play a central role in his work, reflecting innocence, complexity, and the beauty of our shared humanity. Regardless of race, gender, or sexuality, childhood connects us all.
Using his own photography as a foundation, Aruna reimagines moments from life through surrealist transformations, layering cultural memory with elements of fantasy.
Recurring motifs form a visual language unique to his work. His alter ego, Binge—a box-headed figure—appears in various compositions as a symbol of self-reflection, persistence, and the mental boxes we live in and navigate through.
Pop culture references such as The Simpsons, KAWS, and other contemporary characters are also woven into his compositions, offering both humour and commentary while grounding his imagery in familiar inspiration. These recurring elements act as anchors in his evolving narrative, giving viewers points of recognition amidst the surreal.
For Aruna, art is more than visual output; it is a tool for connection, education, and self-discovery. Through his surreal dreamscapes, he invites viewers to step into a world where the boundaries between memory, culture, and imagination dissolve, leaving space for reflection, recognition, and emotional resonance.
His persistence in developing the language of Afro-surrealism ensures that each work stands as both a personal statement and a contribution to a broader, evolving movement that demands recognition in contemporary art.
Curriculum Vitae
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2025 CELEB-KIDS, [PORTRAITS OF INNOCENCE] — BSTO, 1310 ST CLAIR AVE, TORONTO
2025 CRAFTING OUR LEGACY, [CURATED GROUP EXHIBITION] — RIVOLI TORONTO, 334 QUEEN STREET
2024 CELEB-KIDS, [ONLINE EXHIBITION] — WWW.LOOKITSKAM.COM
2024 A BLACK ART FAIR, [GROUP EXHIBITION] — NIA CENTRE GALLERY, TORONTO
2024 BLK FRAMES VOL.II, [GROUP EXHIBITION] — WITHROW COMMON GALLERY, TORONTO
2024 LOOK ITS KAM (SOLO EXHIBITION) — ATELIER EVERGREEN, TORONTO
2024 FLIGHT PATTERN, [GROUP EXHIBITION] — LESLIE GROVE GALLERY, TORONTO
2023 PANCAKES AND BOOZE, [GROUP EXHIBITION] — TORONTO
2023 DECOMPOSITION, [GROUP EXHIBITION] —LESLIE GROVE GALLERY, TORONTO
2023 NUIT BLANCHE [MURAL] — STORY ARTS CENTRE, TORONTO
2022 RAW ARTISTS, [GROUP EXHIBITION] — FOUNTAIN BLU EVENT CENTRE, TORONTO
2022 NUIT BLANCHE — [GROUP EXHIBITION] — STORY ARTS CENTRE, TORONTO
2022 FAS SALON [GROUP EXHIBITION] — THE CORRIDOR GALLERY, TORONTO
2022 ADF ALUMNI [GROUP EXHIBITION] — STORY ARTS CENTRE, TORONTO
2022 ARTSCAPE (FUTURE.FORWARD.FOREVER) [GROUP EXHIBITION.] — DANIEL SPECTRUM GALLERY, TORONTO
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2022 - 2024 FINE ARTS STUDIO DIPLOMA, CENTENNIAL COLLEGE, TORONTO
2021 - 2022 ARTS & DESIGN FUNDAMENTALS, CERTIFICATE, CENTENNIAL COLLEGE, TORONTO
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2025 - SUMMER ARTIST IN RESIDENCE, NIA CENTRE FOR THE ARTS , TORONTO
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