b. 21 February 1940, Iragbiji, Osun State, Nigeria Lives and works in Iragbiji, Osun State, Nigeria Chief Muraina Oyelami is both a master painter and an accomplished performing artist, celebrated for his unique fusion of visual art, theatre, and music. He emerged in the early 1960s as a pioneering figure of the Osogbo Art Movement, having been shaped by the Mbari-Mbayo arts workshop in Osogbo under the guidance of Ulli and Georgina Beier. Oyelami trained in dramatic arts—specializing in theatre design—at Obafemi Awolowo University, where he later taught traditional music from 1976 to 1987. He is also recognized for his mastery of Yoruba drumming, having studied the dùndún (talking drum) and Batá drum before performing with the famed Duro Ladipo Theatre Company. Through his performances, he toured internationally, representing Nigeria in festivals such as the Berlin Festival of Art in 1964 and the Commonwealth Arts Festival in the UK in 1965. Oyelami’s paintings draw deeply from Yoruba cultural motifs and everyday life, evolving from abstract cityscapes in his early years to more figurative compositions reflecting landscapes, portraits, and social narratives. His style is noted for strong, expressive lines, subtle color palettes, and emotional depth. Beyond his personal artistry, he founded the Abeni Visual & Performing Arts Institute in Iragbiji and holds the traditional title of Eesa (Chief) of his hometown, serving as its cultural custodian and mentor to younger generations of artists.