By Nancy Gilson (Special to The Columbus Dispatch)

Samuel Deji Adebuga is presenting his works at 700 Bryden Community through July 31.

On the day after he turns 72, Samuel Deji Adebuga will begin the second act of his life, presenting his colorful and arresting multimedia works in an exhibit on the East Side.

His abstract and partly figurative pieces — many of them inspired by his Nigerian heritage — will be shown in a special event July 13 and will remain on view throughout the month at 700 Bryden Community, 700 Bryden Road, a creative space for artists and entrepreneurs.

Adebuga — whose enthusiasm and energy speak well for his septuagenarian years — has created art since he was a 7-year-old in southwestern Nigeria. He studied typography, journalism and fine art at institutions in Nigeria, Great Britain and the United States, and worked a variety of day jobs — mostly in graphic design — to support himself and his family.

Now, he said, his “brain is exploding” at the opportunity to devote himself full time to fine art.

Adebuga often turns to music and musicians for subject matter. His work titled “Don’t Feed Poverty, Let’s Empower Human Race” shows three colorfully attired West African women making music with drums.

“Baba Elemu (Palmwine Tapper)” is a beautifully composed portrait of a Nigerian woman on a bicycle, with palm trees and an orange sky in the background.

His portrait of Cecil — an African lion who lived in a national park in Zimbabwe until lured to his death by an American big-game trophy hunter — is regal and striking. It is rich with multimedia materials, including ropes for the lion’s mane.

Adebuga said he enjoys using such materials to “exaggerate details in mostly traditional-based motifs.”

Nigeria’s fluffy white sheep, important to the nation’s economy, show up in many of Adebuga’s works including “Agbo Funfun.”

In others, he has captured Columbus scenes, including several abstract pieces that spotlight the new wing of the Columbus Museum of Art.

All his works are signed with “Sam Adebuga,” followed by a small symbol that resembles a crown; his name in Nigerian, he said, means “royal crown.”

Adebuga, who lives in north Columbus, came to the United States in 1990. He is the father of five children and still has family in Nigeria.

He has studied art at Ohio State University and his works have been shown at the Priscilla R. Tyson Cultural Arts Center, John Glenn Columbus International Airport and Ohio State University’s Faculty Club. Four of his pieces are on view at the Karl Road branch of the Columbus Metropolitan Library.

Adebuga said that throughout his life, art has been his passion. During his time working at various jobs, he said, “I might have tried to bury my talent, but people always found out.

“One thing I’ve learned about myself is how essential art is to my emotional and spiritual well-being.”

At a glance

“Deji Adebuga: The Retrospective Exhibit” will be presented from 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday, July 13, at 700 Bryden Community, Bryden Road and Parsons Avenue. The exhibit continues through July 31.

The building is open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Mondays through Fridays and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays. (Culled from the Columbus Dispatch Newspaper).

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