Culture

Benin Art Fair 2025 Showcases Legacy and Innovation

Published

9 months ago

November 30, 2025

The Benin Art Fair 2025 celebrates Benin’s artistic legacy and innovation with over 100 artworks, music, and cultural performances over four days

The second edition of The Benin Art Fair, themed “Legacy and Innovation: Celebrating the Past, Present, and Future of Benin Art,” attracted thousands of visitors over four days, marking a historic moment for Benin City’s vibrant art community.

Also read: Benin Bronze Casters Preserve Ancient Craft Amid Challenges

Held at the Abstract Backyard on Aiguobasimwin Street, GRA, the fair transformed beyond visual art into an educational and sensorial journey through Benin’s evolving cultural identity.

Guests were entertained by the Azieyiosabo Cultural Troupe and two indigenous Benin musical groups.

The opening featured a guided tour by Fair Director Olorogun Jeff Ajueshi, attended by Edo State government delegates, including Chief of Staff Hon. Gani Audu, Commissioner of Lands and Housing Hon. Yakubu Musa, and former Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Tourism Dr. Uyi Oduwa-Malaka.

Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Tourism and Creative Economy, Anto Lecky, applauded the fair’s vision and impact.

The event showcased over 100 artworks, including sculptures and installations by celebrated artists such as Ben Osawe, Oka Newton, and other emerging and established Nigerian talents.

Ajueshi described the fair as a platform for artists, sponsors, and art lovers to engage with Benin’s rich artistic culture while embracing contemporary creativity.

He emphasized that the fair aims to position Benin City as a leading hub for global art and cultural exchange, promoting local artists, enhancing international exposure, and fostering cultural dialogue.

Curator Oluwatosin Jekami noted that the fair goes beyond the celebrated bronzes and royal artistry to explore contemporary art, entertainment, culture, and indigenous traditions.

“The Benin Art Fair was conceived to document, interpret, and re-present the evolving narratives of Benin’s artistic journey,” Jekami added.

Also read: Benin Bronzes repatriation Marks Historic Cultural Victory

The 2025 edition was solely sponsored by The Osa Okunbor Foundation, reinforcing the commitment to preserving and promoting Benin’s cultural heritage while elevating Nigeria’s art scene.

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Culture

WAKE UP! Art Exhibition Returns for a Second Act

Published

1 week ago

August 27, 2026

Mariam Balogun

The contemporary art and photography exhibition “Wake Up!” is back again for a second edition.

Curated by Awele Onwordi, Wake Up! 2 exhibition pays homage to the Nigerian youth and burgeoning street culture which many of its contributing artists reference in their works.

Also read: Five rising stars battle for 2026 Headies Next Rated

Titled “Young, Wild, Free”, the exhibition celebrates the creativity, resilience, freedom and cultural influence found in Nigerian youth.

Taking aim at societal issues and economic concerns, the exhibit reflects the youth and their refusal to compromise or bow despite all the challenges stacked against them while charting youth culture through art, music, fashion, skateboarding, photography and community.

The exhibition will be held, once again, at the Angel and Muse Gallery at 25 Sumbo Jibowu street off Ribadu Road off Awolowo Road in Ikoyi.

It will open on Saturday 5 September 2026 and will run until 11 September 2026
This second edition which focuses on celebrating, nurturing and exploring artistic practices rooted in youth and street culture will feature works from DENCITY and SUPERGLIDER HOUSE.

Exhibiting artists include Ajilore Kehinde – their work is deeply influenced by Nigerian street culture and works of other artists like Slawn, Peters Ejiro, etc, Chuka Onwordi – graphic designer who embodies themes of death, melancholy and beauty in his works, ZIDYEP – Abuja based creative whose works move between digital and physical spaces through art, graphic design and air brushing , Franklyn Okoye – graphic designer and artist whose works explore themes of identity and hyper-reality, Awele Onwordi – founder & curator of WAKE UP and multidisciplinary artist whose practice spans character art, creative logo design, album covers and more , Oluchi Kogolo – digital illustrator whose work explores street culture, personality and storytelling through a raw and playful visual style and Kozetuo Apeji – multidisciplinary artists who work explores experimental approaches to problem solving through both digital and traditional art forms.

Commenting on the exhibition in her curatorial statement, Awele noted that “despite economic instability, limited opportunities and socio-political challenges, Nigerian youth continue to shape culture through music, fashion, art, skateboarding, raves, photography and community.”

Also read: Five rising stars battle for 2026 Headies Next Rated

Continuing and harping on the raison d’etre of the exhibition she said, “Young, Wild and Free exists to celebrate Nigerian youth while also creating a platform that supports and amplifies them.”