Sade Cole
Bio
Sade Cole is a queer artist from Lagos, Nigeria. She first gained recognition as a celebrity stylist, working with some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry, including Ciara, Tiwa Savage, Darey Art Alade, Olamide, Yemi Alade, Wizkid, and Vector. Her work in the creative industry also included a three-year stint as the lead stylist and project manager for African Fashion Week Nigeria. During this time, Sade led model castings and creative talent acquisitions, styled seasonal campaigns, and liaised with cross-functional artistic departmental heads. She was also the wardrobe stylist for Project Fame West Africa Season 10.
Sade's creativity did not stop at styling. She is also a talented sculptor and founder of her own Eponymous Art brand. Her minimalist 3D sculptures merge her African roots with her life today in California, drawing inspiration from her life experiences, reflecting her unique perspective.
After relocating to California, Sade’s career has been diverse and dynamic. In addition to her creative pursuits, Sade has worked in Silicon Valley at Google and in the financial service industry before becoming highly involved in the venture space. She has served as a Venture Partner at VU Venture Partners and is a founding partner at Archangel Fund where she invests in African female tech founders. Her most recent position was as the Director of Training and Sales Enablement at American Income Life, where she managed a sales team across 13 territories, driving significant revenue for the company. She is currently a full time sculptor.
Sade holds a Bachelor of Creative Arts from the University of Lagos, Nigeria. Her extensive experience in the creative and business worlds makes her a dynamic and innovative leader with a unique perspective, including a firm commitment to diversity and inclusivity.
Her wall sculptures have been showcased in various galleries, including a solo show at B4bel4b in Oakland.
Sade finds immense peace and solace in the absence of excess within the work she creates. Each seemingly minimalist piece she produces conceals profound depths of her emotions, dreams, and experiences.
The lack of superfluous elements compels her to turn inward, delving into the recesses of her soul to confront the raw truth of her encounters. It urges her to contemplate the intricacies of life, consistently leading to the discovery of beauty within the simplest ideas and forms.
In her eyes, there exists a captivating dance between emptiness and substance, between absence and presence. These sculptures serve as vessels through which she navigate the vast spectrum of her emotions, ranging from joy to sorrow, from longing to contentment, and even nostalgia.
Through her sculpting endeavors, she hopes everyone who encounters her work will possess the courage necessary to strip away the unnecessary and unveil the pure essence of their existence, thoughts, and feelings.