Culture

Red19 Global Art Exhibition to Celebrate Cultural Resilience

Published

1 year ago

September 19, 2025

Red19 Global art exhibition to spotlight African heritage through contemporary works in Nigeria and the UK, promoting cultural resilience and global dialogue

This September, Red19 Global opens its doors to the world, offering a unique transcontinental platform for celebrating African heritage through art.

Also read: Artists “Deconstruct Unity” in thought-provoking exhibition at national museum Lagos

In partnership with Aafin Ilu Cultural Centre, Red19 Global has announced the launch of an international art exhibition titled “Cultural Words, Ancient Voices” (Óro Asa, Ohun Atijo).

This innovative showcase will run concurrently in Ede, Osun State, Nigeria, and Derby, United Kingdom, from 20 to 30 September 2025.

Curated by Kikelomo Solomon-Ayeni, CEO of Red19 Global, alongside Oluwatimilehin Osho and Olamide Bakare, the exhibition brings together a diverse range of visual expressions.

From painting and photography to sculpture and mixed media, the works collectively honour African traditions, ancestral voices, and the evolution of identity.

Artists featured include notable names such as Dauda Ova, Chinwendu Chidi, Anthony Anisiebo, Edirin John Duvwiama, and Mercy Odukogbe, among others.

These creatives interpret the exhibition’s powerful theme through their unique lenses, connecting the past with the present.

Jurying the exhibition are Prince Adewale Laoye, a revered cultural custodian, and UK-based visual artist Olamide Bakare. Their involvement adds critical depth to the selection process, ensuring the highest standard of cultural relevance and artistic merit.

The exhibition is more than a display — it is a conversation. By bridging Nigeria and the UK, *Red19 Global art exhibition* promotes cultural resilience, identity, and memory.

It reflects on Africa’s visual languages as vital expressions of community and survival, while inviting a global audience to engage in meaningful cultural dialogue.

This initiative aligns strongly with Red19 Global’s mission: to use art as a vehicle for preservation, connection, and global storytelling.

Also read: Akara Festival Nigeria Partners Brazil’s Acarajé to Promote Culture

In a world where traditions can easily be diluted, this exhibition reaffirms the power of cultural heritage and the role of contemporary artists in keeping it alive.

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Culture

WAKE UP! Art Exhibition Returns for a Second Act

Published

1 month 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.”