A total of twenty contemporary artists are exploring the stories shaping Africa’s present and future at Thought Pyramid Art Centre, one of Africa’s leading contemporary art institutions.
The exhibition which holds in partnership with TAAG Gallery, is themed “Here & Now: Becoming, Identity, Memory, and Environment.”
“Here & Now” is a major group exhibition featuring twenty exceptional contemporary artists whose works investigate the intersections of identity, memory, personal transformation, and the environments that shape human experience.
Hosted by Chief Jeff Ajueshi, Creative Director of Thought Pyramid Art Centre, and curated by
Rodney Asikhia, Founder and Curator of TAAG Gallery, the exhibition opens with a Private Preview on June 12, 2026, followed by an opening reception on June 13, 2026 at 4:00 PM, and remains on view through June 30, 2026 at Thought Pyramid Art Centre, Ikoyi, Lagos.
The exhibition brings together a dynamic group of artists whose practices span figurative painting, conceptual realism, mixed media, expressive portraiture, and contemporary storytelling. Through diverse visual languages, the artists explore how memory, culture, environment, and personal histories shape the ongoing process of becoming.
Featured artists include Williams Merenini, Olatide Amusa, Frank Ndubuisi, Don Okuchukwu (Moonlight Art), Bella Mfon, Tarikoro Tamunofiri Henrietta, Austin Dorgu, Mark Duke, Ella Ojadi, Nelson Etok, Temitope Victoria Ogunwale (Temi OG), Moses Bamba, Esinulo Chiamaka Praise, Wasiu Sunday Hassan, Shina Ernest Odofin, David Okoi, Enoch Oyewole, Similoluwa Ilori, Kingsley Oghenekaro Omodigono, and Adabekee Chisom Nichodemus.
At a moment when conversations surrounding identity, belonging, migration, cultural heritage, environmental awareness, and self-determination continue to shape contemporary society, Here & Now offers a timely reflection on the experiences and narratives that define our present.
The exhibition examines how individuals and communities navigate memory and transformation while responding to an ever-changing world.
The participating artists engage these themes through works that range from intimate psychological portraiture and emotional storytelling to broader explorations of cultural memory, social realities, resilience, and collective experience. Together, they create a
rich visual dialogue that celebrates both individual perspectives and shared humanity.
According to curator Rodney Asikhia:
“Here & Now is an invitation to reflect on the forces that shape who we are and who we are becoming. The exhibition brings together artists whose practices explore memory, identity, environment, and transformation in ways that are deeply personal yet universally relevant. Together, these artists offer powerful perspectives on contemporary life and remind us that our stories are continually being written through the experiences we carry and the worlds we inhabit.”
For chief Jeff Ajueshi, “Thought Pyramid Art Centre remains committed to providing platforms that elevate contemporary African voices and encourage meaningful cultural dialogue. Here & Now reflects the richness of artistic perspectives emerging across the continent and demonstrates the important role artists play in helping us understand ourselves, our communities, and our shared future.”
Identity, Heritage, Resilience, Language In Sanni’s Bold, Buoyant New Body Of Work
Abiola Sanni is a photographic artist inspired by storytelling, identity, and emotion. His new body of work brings to the fore issues such as identity, heritage, resilience, and language.
The artist, whose main objective is to create images that are immersive and authentic by means of light, texture, and composition, says that he likes making authentic and engaging photos that convey a deeper message to the viewers.
These messages are reflected in the issues of identity, heritage, resilience, and language, as captured in the three photographs (portraits) titled ‘Echoes of the Scar’, ‘Bound in Patterns Not Chosen’, and ‘Sanctuary in Silence’.
The artist uses incisions of geometrical figures to capture an expression of calmness, which is achieved by the use of light, shadow, braided textures, and patterned fabrics.
For instance, in ‘Sanctuary in Silence’, the artist expresses an idea of sanctuary with the help of a headwrap, eyes, and lips in the golden
light. In ‘Echoes of the Scar’, the artist uses geometrical incisions in an elegant way to give the impression of pain as the language.
It appears that the figure, under the golden light, possesses an archive of skin that remembers, eyes that linger, and lips that remain poised. Headwrap and bare shoulders reflect a connection between past practices of marking among Africans and Black identity and possession in the present day.
In ‘Bound in Patterns Not Chosen’, the artist uses a mask made out of her adire fabric to explore themes of identity and silence. The fabric, which reflects the artist’s heritage, becomes a reason for a soft voice.
Significantly, like the other two works, this portraiture is remarkable, visually stunning. The sharp black-and-white contrast, emphasises the quality of the headwrap and the thick twists, which stand out sharply against the the
immaculate background, making every detail of the headwrap and those thick twists really pop out of the canvas.
“This image confronts the tension between pride and suppression, asking how often a woman’s voice is quieted even while her presence is celebrated,” Sanni says. His work has been featured in various exhibitions and media platforms, reaching audiences and encouraging reflection.
For Sanni, ordinary moments often carry the most meaning. “I’m drawn to what exists beneath the surface, subtle expressions, stillness, and the quiet strength people hold within themselves. “I pay close attention to contrast and texture, using light and shadow to communicate emotion where words fall short,” Sanni says, noting that at the same time, he leaves space for softness and imperfection.
According to him, not everything needs to be
polished, “sometimes the beauty is in the raw, the real, and the unstructured.” Sanni graduated with a BSc in Agricultural Economics and Farm Management from the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria.
The artist was involved in creating and delivering original photography projects related to identity, resilience, and human experience. He organised the whole creative process from concept development to completion.
Additionally, he worked with exhibitions and private clients as well as collaborated with various creatives, such as stylists and artists. His works have been included in several exhibitions, including ‘The Weight of Being’ group exhibition (2023).
