Soldier (artist)

Leonard Iheagwam, better known as Soldier, is a Nigerian-born, London-based visual artist, designer, and skateboarder. His work often addresses themes of migration, diasporic memory, spirituality, and cultural identity. A self-taught artist, Soldier is also the co-founder of Motherlan, a Lagos-based skate and streetwear collective.[1][2][3]

Early life and education

Soldier was born in Lagos, Nigeria, into a religious household as the son of a preacher. Drawn to street culture and creative expression from an early age, he left home at 16 to pursue art and skateboarding full-time, at times experiencing homelessness as a teenager.[4][5] Through WAFFLESNCREAM, Nigeria's first skate shop, he met Slawn and Onyedi. In 2016, they co-founded Motherlan, a youth-driven collective merging skateboarding, fashion, and experimental art. Motherlan was later featured on the cover of i-D and was described as part of the rise of Nigerian skate culture.[6]

Artistic career

After relocating to London to study graphic design and communication at The University Of Westminster with visa sponsorship from Skepta,[7][1][8] Soldier developed his fine art practice while remaining involved in skate and fashion. His work spans painting, portraiture, sculpture and pop art with recurring motifs including camouflage and African passports.[9][2]

His Passport Series reimagines West African travel documents to interrogate the politics of borders and global mobility. Soldier says "Whilst the idea of passports and borders works in theory, practical application only benefit the few. It must be reviewed. Too many have died at the hands of their travel papers. Too many families have suffered." With the Passport Series, Soldier spotlights the immigration rights topic, which goes beyond politics, according to the artist. "Whilst you may not be able to relate, at least you can claim to be aware".[10]

His debut solo exhibition, When The Saints Go Marching, opened in London in April 2024 as part of the Incubator series. “The exhibition examined the Nigerian Civil War, recalling the late 1960s conflict with the Republic of Biafra among local sportsmen and his relatives who experienced the war firsthand”.[11] His second solo exhibition, Black Star, opened at Kearsey & Gold in 2025. According to a piece in 032c, “The exhibition imagined a toxic future where humanity survives through tech- woven exoskeletons—yet the pieces remain deeply grounded in his African roots”.[12]

He has exhibited at institutions including the Saatchi Gallery, Saatchi Yates, and the Incubator series. He also designed skateboards for Hamilton’s Mission 44 foundation.[13][14][15]

Collaborations and cultural impact

Soldier has collaborated with Louis Vuitton under Pharrell Williams, Marni, Salomon, Awake NY, Timberland, and True Religion.[12][15][16] Since 2021 he has also appeared in Supreme’s global campaigns.[10]

His work and cultural impact have been profiled in outlets including 032c, Evening Standard, Highsnobiety, The Big Issue, i-D, and Wonderland.[8][17][18]

References

  1. ^ a b "Soldier Is Going Big Time". Esquire. 11 October 2024. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
  2. ^ a b "Soldier: Painting is About Making the Things You Love Immortal". 032c GmbH. 17 April 2025. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
  3. ^ "Enter The World Of Slawn and Soldier". Highsnobiety. 17 December 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
  4. ^ "At Ease With Soldier". i-D. Vice Media. 30 September 2025. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
  5. ^ "SOLDIER — 'we live in an ugly world, but I have the ability to change that'". Evening Standard. 21 August 2023. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
  6. ^ "Motherlan are changing the face of Lagos skate culture". i-D. Vice Media. 19 November 2019. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
  7. ^ "At Ease With Soldier". i-D. Vice Media. 30 September 2025. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
  8. ^ a b "Soldier: Artist Soldier If you put money at your forefront, your work will lose its lifeforce and essence". The Big Issue. 17 September 2025. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
  9. ^ "Thanks For Flying Soldier Air: Artist Soldier Debuts Passport Series". Highsnobiety. 22 August 2023. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
  10. ^ a b "Thanks For Flying Soldier Air: Artist Soldier Debuts Passport Series". Highsnobiety. Titel Media. 22 August 2023. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
  11. ^ "SOLDIER's Debut Solo Show 'When The Saints Go Marching' Envisions Modern Nigerian Pop Art". Hypebeast. 10 April 2024. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
  12. ^ a b "Soldier: "Painting is about making the things you love immortal"". 032c. 17 April 2025. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
  13. ^ "Soldier Teams Up with Lewis Hamilton's Mission 44 for Charitable Skateboard Series". PAUSE Online. 15 July 2025. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
  14. ^ "Soldier's First Solo Show Opens at Incubator". Viper Magazine. Viper Media. 12 April 2024. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
  15. ^ a b "Inside the unexpected collaboration between Marni's Francesco Risso and artists Slawn and Soldier". Wallpaper*. 26 February 2025. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
  16. ^ "SOLDIER Reworks Timberland's 6-Inch Zipper Boot", Hypebeast, 8 August 2025, retrieved 21 October 2025
  17. ^ "Soldier: The Art of Feeling". Wonderland. Wonderland Publishing. 15 November 2023. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
  18. ^ "Soldier: Painting is About Making the Things You Love Immortal". 032c. 032c GmbH. 17 April 2025. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
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