Stephen Ogunsanya blends reality, fantasy, and spirituality in his digital paintings, using the art form as a substitute for traditional methods and crafting complex stories about resilience, identity, and overcoming challenges.

TODAY, digital art is a well-established and dynamic form of expression. Oluwasemilore Stephen Ogunsanya, known as Stef, uses this medium to explore emotional depth, symbolic storytelling, and visual experimentation.

Stef mixes reality, fantasy, and spirituality in his digital paintings. He uses digital art not only as an alternative to traditional methods, but also to create complex stories about resilience, identity, and overcoming challenges.

As more artists choose digital art, the focus has shifted to how well they share original ideas through this medium. Stef stands out for his use of symbolism and psychological themes. His portfolio, which includes portraits and fragmented human figures, highlights his interest in the emotional and spiritual sides of life.

One of Stef’s standout works is ‘I Touched Your Grace’, which was shown in the ‘Resilience’ group exhibition at Hartlepool Gallery in the UK. The painting draws attention with its bold visuals and strong symbolism. In the centre, two wounded hands reach out and frame a single eye behind them. These details suggest endurance, connection, and hope even when facing suffering.

Stef is especially good at turning complex emotions into clear visual metaphors. The injured hands stand for vulnerability and struggle, while the eye suggests awareness and guidance. The way he arranges these elements invites viewers to see how pain and perseverance can exist together, reflecting on our ability to endure hardship while still hoping for grace.

The bright red background makes the painting’s emotions even more powerful. This colour is more than a style choice; it brings to mind danger, sacrifice, passion, and stress. In this intense setting, the main images feel almost sacred, turning personal pain into a message about resilience that many people can relate to.

‘I Touched Your Grace’ stands out because it combines realistic and fantastical elements. The hands are drawn in a lifelike way, which grounds the piece in reality, while the large eye and dreamlike layout add a symbolic feel. This mix allows for many interpretations, from spiritual insight and personal healing to deep self-reflection.

People familiar with Nigeria’s spiritual culture might notice religious themes in the title and images, hinting at divine intervention or a supernatural moment. Stef does not explain these ideas directly, leaving the meaning open and making the work accessible to people from different backgrounds. This approach helps the painting connect with more viewers while keeping its emotional impact.

Sometimes, Stef’s use of layered symbolism can make his message less clear. Like many new digital artists, he occasionally includes too many ideas, which can make his work harder to understand. Still, these challenges show that he is growing as an artist and learning how much symbolism he can use before the meaning gets lost.

Stef’s education also influences his art. With training in architecture and a master’s in design, he has a strong sense of structure, space, and form. This background is clear in how he arranges his work and balances visual elements, even when his art is very expressive or abstract.

Stef’s exhibition history shows his growing reputation. In addition to being a top-five artist in the ‘Resilience’ show, he has also shown work at Roots & Routes at The Carre Gallery in Sleaford, the +234 Art Fair in Lagos, and The Auxiliary in Middlesbrough. These experiences are helping him gain more attention in both the Nigerian and international art scenes.

Stef’s art is most powerful when it shows vulnerability as a strength. His images are more than digital creations; they are emotional scenes where pain, faith, imagination, and resilience come together. As his style develops, ‘I Touched Your Grace’ highlights his talent for turning personal and cultural stories into striking visuals. In the busy world of digital art, Stef stands out not just for his technique, but for his courage to explore the balance between suffering and hope, weakness and strength, and what it means to be human.