Meet Abisola Oshin: Exploring the connections between family, heritage and belonging

Abisola Oshin is one of 3 artists who worked with UAL's Creative team to create the collages used for our 2026 Black History Month campaign.

We spoke to Abisola about her creative journey, the role of her mother and the inspiration behind her collage for this year’s campaign.

How did your journey with art begin?

I started with art in primary school. I was quite a quiet child and during break time there was a place called Sanctuary for children who didn't want to go out to the playground or play football. It was an indoor space where we could do different activities and crafts. That's where I was introduced to cross-stitching and learn about sewing and stitching.

I started associating stitch with comfort. I knew I wanted a career where I could feel most at home and comfortable, so that became an important part of my creative journey.

What themes or messages do you explore in your work?

A lot of my work is about me as an individual, my work, my heritage and the things that I have and do. I'm also interested in the body. For my final graduation piece, I explored plus-size bodies and learning how to design for plus-size bodies.

I see myself as a form of accessible research and inspiration through my work.

This year's Black History Month theme is ‘Honouring our Communities’. What does this theme mean to you personally?

When I heard the theme and read the brief about individuals who have stood out within their communities, the idea immediately went to my mum.

My first view and introduction to the Black community in the UK was through my mother. I have a really vivid memory of being in a Nigerian-based market and seeing my mum's back with all the colours of the food and peppers behind her. That image has stayed with me and represents my first view and introduction to the Black community in the UK.

Is there a person or community that has shaped you as an artist and influenced your work?

The Peckham community has really shaped the way I see art and everything around me.

There was a youth club in Peckham that was very art-based and encouraged creativity and different pathways. Peckham itself is also so vibrant. There are so many colours and so many things happening there. There's no way you can go to Peckham and not be inspired!

Can you tell us a bit about the idea behind your collage?

I wanted the collage to represent a busy marketplace with lots of things that represent my community, including hair, salons, church, communities and family gatherings.

At the forefront is my mother's back. I replaced her head with a compass because she guided me through the Black community. The compass represents guidance and direction. She was the person who led me to this new place when I was unfamiliar with it.

What story from your community do you think deserves to be told more often?

I think stories about single mothers need to be more prominent.

My mum is a single parent and she takes care of me while going through a lot herself. Growing up, there wasn't much support. I also think the stigma around therapy in the Black community needs to be addressed. I would like to see more conversations about therapy for Black people and the stigma around it.

What do you hope people take away from your collage?

I hope people recognise that the people who lead us to communities are just as important.

People can meet and be introduced to communities through social media, friends or family. We need to appreciate those people because it's through them that we get to learn so much about our own heritage and background. I think we need more celebration of those people.

What made you put your work forward for UAL's Black History Month campaign?

I wanted to get my work out there more. I can be quite hesitant about sharing my work, especially when it relates to history and heritage, because I can worry about whether it will be well received. This campaign felt like the perfect opportunity and the right time to share it.