Modupeola Fadugba (b. 1985, Lomé, Togo) is a multimedia artist known for her work in painting, drawing, and socially engaged installations. With a multidisciplinary background in engineering, economics, and education, Fadugba’s art explores intersections of cultural identity, social justice, game theory, and the socio-political dynamics of Nigeria within the global economy.
Her acclaimed project, The People's Algorithm, a game-based installation fostering dialogue on improving Nigeria’s education system, earned her the Outstanding Production Prize from El Anatsui and the Grand Prize at the 2016 Dakar Biennale.
Dreams from the Deep End (2018), her recent multimedia exhibition, delves into the collective experiences of swimmers, examining America’s racialized swimming history and exploring themes of collaboration and resilience. The project was exhibited at Gallery 1957, Accra, and documented in a film that received an Emmy Award in 2022 for outstanding long-form DEI content. The documentary was also screened at the Brooklyn Museum and the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in New York.
Fadugba has participated in prestigious residencies, including the Smithsonian Institute of African Art Research Fellowship (2020), the International Studio and Curatorial Program in Brooklyn (2018), and the International Cité des Arts in Paris (2017). She is also an Archbishop Tutu Leadership Fellow (2024).
Her works are part of significant collections, including the Smithsonian Institute of African Art, the Minneapolis Institute of Art, the Sindika Dokolo Foundation, and Facebook, where she completed the commissioned piece Indigo Reflection in 2021.
Fadugba’s education includes a Master of Education in Technology in Education from Harvard University, a Master of Arts in Economics from the University of Delaware, and a Bachelor of Engineering in Chemical Engineering from the same institution. Her academic research spans topics from STEM education access to obesity and catalysts in chemical processes.
She has exhibited widely across the globe, with notable solo shows such as The Armory Show (2023), Why Nations Win (2021), and Heads Up, Keep Swimming (2017). Her recent group exhibitions include Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery (2024), Frieze Art Fair Korea (2024), and 1-54 Art Fair London (2024).
Modupeola Fadugba currently lives and works between Abuja, Nigeria, and Pennsylvania.