Polly Alakija was born in the United Kingdom in 1966 and moved to Nigeria in 1989. Between 2005 and 2011 she was based in South Africa. She now works from her studio in Lagos.

Her work is included in numerous private collections in the USA, UK, France, Nigeria and South Africa and in several corporate collections. Recently she painted the pillars of the fly-over bridge at Falomo round-about in Ikoyi, Lagos, which was a highlight at 50 art installations created across the city.

Polly’s work has progressed over the years from being almost completely abstract towards works that are increasingly figurative. Her monumental and accessible images lend themselves to public spaces. She is increasingly engaged in community and educational programs in an effort to promote a broad art platform reaching a diverse audience