Months are spent selecting and setting aside each and every individual piece of flamboyant colors that are intrinsically and meticulously formed into individual pieces to form the lyrical shapes of these mosaic style images. This is one way to describe this young artist’s creative works. The narrative content of each work varies but the style is consistent, suggesting qualities of both primitive and impressionistic art. In determining the success of each piece, the artist considers and conceptualizes the design, texture, color and overall viewpoint, giving his work perspective that channels an extraordinary energy and explosive movement of color that culminates in ‘people of color’.

His name, given by his Nigerian ancestors, is worthy of Chieftaincy; surrounded by crown— Adetoye (Toye) Adewole Adedipe is a young artist whose Nigerian heritage is exemplified through his creative works. His geography roots are seeded from California’s diverse Silicon Valley, where his drawing style was recognized at an early age, entering and winning drawing contests and becoming the featured child-artist at a local television sponsored event.

Before graduating cum lade at Florida A & M University, 2004, Toye’s first work in ‘the journey’ series won acclaim in the college art contest and was published to represent the schools Christmas greeting card—the original art now graces the home of Bill and Camille Cosby. His commissioned works include Florida Conference of Black State Legislators and San Francisco organizations like the Last Mile Foundation, Omega Boys Club and private art collectors. His works have been auctioned off to benefit local fundraising events and children’s organizations, as he believes returning completes standing in “The Circle of Life”.