Oludotun Popoola was born in Lagos in 1981, but hails from Abeokuta , Ogun State . He finished from Zion African Church School , Alagba, Agege, Lagos in 1993. He also attended State High School , Oyewole, Agege, Lagos in 1999 and later completed his secondary education at Kings and Queens’ College, Ibadan . His early artistic training occurred at Niyas Creative Studio and Ofin Art Gallery . He also trained as a cartoonist under Kayode Ekeolere, renowned newspaper cartoonist.
Dotun attended Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi for his ND General Art and graduated with the best student prize in Painting and General Art in 2004. He has won some awards, participated in some exhibitions, workshops and symposia such as Ososo Watercolour Workshop (2003), Ohio State University, USA/National Gallery of Art Harmattan Workshop initiated by Prof. Emmanuel Odita (2003); National Student Exhibition (2005), Kambani Arts of London/NGA exhibition (2006). He is one of the pioneering members of the Auchi Heritage and Selected Fellow Artists. Apart from joining Mufu Onifade's Ara Studio in 2003, he is at present running his B.A. degree in the Department of Fine Arts, Obafemi Awolowo University , lle-lfe.
Dotun was attracted by Mufu Onifade’s simple lifestyle, uniqueness, catalytic personality, virtuosity and versatility. He is a pioneering member and serving Secretary of Araism Movement.
STATEMENT
“To me, Mufu Onifade is a master that can give his eye to the blind servant to see. He is like Jesus Christ, we are his disciples and our gospel is Araism. Out of the abundance of Art, the hand draws. For me, my Art is my Heart.”