Metamorphosis Exhibition: Visual Art Icon, Yinka Adeyemi To Mark 80th Birthday In Ibadan, Lagos
•By OYENIYI AWOJOODU
IBADAN – The Nigerian art world is set to celebrate one of its foremost cultural icons, Prince Yinka Adeyemi, as he marks his 80th birthday with a grand two-part multimedia arts exhibition tagged “Metamorphosis”.
Organised by the Tunde Odunlade Culture and Arts Foundation (TOCA-F) in collaboration with Master of the Minds Creative Gallery, the event will highlight the life, works, and legacy of Adeyemi, an internationally renowned member of the Osogbo School of Art and former captain of the Duro Ladipo Theatre Group.
The first leg of the exhibition will open on August 30, 2025, at the Tunde Odunlade Arts and Culture Connexions, Ibadan, curated by Tunde Odunlade. The second phase will hold on September 13, 2025, at The Art Hotel, Lagos, curated by Moses Ohiomokhare, where Adeyemi’s much-anticipated book “Tanwa” will be formally presented to the public.
Speaking ahead of the exhibition, Prince Adeyemi reflected on his journey, “Art is creativity. Nobody can do without art. From my youth in 1963, when I joined the plastic arts and followed masquerades in Ile-Ife, to 1966 when we formed the Osogbo group of artists, my passion has been to elevate Nigerian art. Contemporary works of today are the antiquities of tomorrow.”
Adeyemi, whose works have been displayed in museums across the United States, Germany, and India, expressed his commitment to mentoring new generations of artists.
“Artistes are born, not made. We can only teach techniques, but creativity is of the mind. I am ready to teach young artists for free because knowledge must be passed on.”
The celebrant also urged government intervention in supporting Nigeria’s creative economy.
He said, “Our works are everywhere in the world, yet many remain uncollected at home. Nigeria needs a proper national gallery in Ibadan or Lagos. The government must realise that art is a powerful economic driver. Crude oil is diminishing, but art is regenerative and eternal.”
His upcoming book, Tanwa, written in Yoruba, English, and French, will also be adapted into a film in partnership with Nollywood actor and producer Gabriel Afolayan.
“We want the world to see this story of ‘lost and found.’ Just as Chinua Achebe’s books were translated into 50 languages, we must make our stories available globally,” Adeyemi explained.
Tunde Odunlade, CEO of TOCA-F, noted the global significance of Adeyemi’s works:
“Art is the only fully finished product Nigeria exports. While crude oil produces over 400 by-products, art itself is complete, unique, and priceless. Prince Adeyemi has been a cultural ambassador for decades, and it is only right that we celebrate him.”
Larry Segun-Lean, owner of Master of the Minds Gallery, echoed this sentiment, describing Adeyemi as a cultural treasure. “His works renew themselves all the time. The U.S. government has recognised his talent, and his gallery is of global value. Any nation without art has no soul. That is why Baba remains a flagbearer of Osogbo art.”
Veteran artist, Dr. Mudiare Onobrakpeya added, “What we know of Nigeria today is largely because of our artists. They have documented our history for thousands of years. Prince Adeyemi is a classical modern artist, and we must protect and celebrate geniuses like him.”
The exhibition “Metamorphosis” is billed not just as a celebration of Adeyemi’s life and works but also as a call for greater investment in Nigeria’s arts and creative economy.