Olaolu Akeredolu-Ale, known by his artistic alias Olaolu Slawn, has crafted the design for the English FA Cup trophy to be showcased at the 2024 final between Manchester City and Manchester United at Wembley on Saturday.
Here’s a glimpse into Olaolu Slawn’s background:
1. Born on October 24, 2000, in Lagos, Nigeria, Olaolu Slawn is a British-Nigerian designer and artist.
2. His portfolio encompasses a diverse array of mediums, including spray paint, large-scale pop art canvases, graffiti, caricatures, and murals.
3. At just 23 years old, Slawn made history as the youngest individual to design the Britannia statuette for the annual BRIT Awards in 2023.
4. During his late teens, Slawn worked at Wafflesncream, Nigeria’s pioneer skate shop, where he collaborated with friends Leo and Onyedi, engaging in artwork, skateboarding, and film projects.
5. Together, Slawn and his friends founded an apparel collective named Motherlan, which gained traction in Nigeria and earned acclaim from notable figures like Virgil Abloh.
6. Relocating to London in 2018, Slawn pursued graphic design studies at Middlesex University starting in 2019.
7. Amidst the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, he delved into painting, distributing his creations at social gatherings and establishing a presence on social media.
8. Slawn marked his exhibition debut in September 2021 at Truman Brewery on Brick Lane.
9. In 2022, Slawn orchestrated Skepta’s inaugural painting collection for a Sotheby’s auction, with proceeds benefiting charitable causes.
10. He served as both the statuette and set designer for the 2023 Brit Awards.
11. On May 22, 2023, Slawn inaugurated BeauBeau’s Cafe, a familial venture located in East London, named in honor of his son.
