For the art teacher at Yaba College of Technology (Yabatech), Lagos, Dr Aladegbongbe Aderinsoye, it is important to interrogate the hidden voices behind colours to appreciate manifold power of nature.

Addressing journalists recently in Lagos on his show, titled, Voice in pigment, he observed colours speak and engage individuals.

Saying the exhibition is a journey of over four decades, he recalled, “I had an exhibition last year, one in Yabatech and another one at The National Museum Lagos about the history of my arts.”

To the don, “I said this year, I want to investigate the voice that is in pigment, because pigment speaks. Pigment is colour. But colours can only speak where there is light. The light reveals the colours before they begin to talk.”

In addition, he said, “the paintings are on flat surface and a two-dimensional object. The colours help you determine whether it is a figure or an ordinary object. The messages are also embedded in the images on the canvass.”

Speaking on one of his work, titled, Maiden dance, the don recalled childhood memories in the village where maidens come out nude, but only have traditional beads on their waste to cover their private parts.

He recounted the maidens engage in acrobatic dance, twisting of the waist, but the dance is only meant for maidens that have not been defiled.

In the village, the don noted those are the ladies parents want their children to marry.
Aderinsoye also spoke about another work titled, The inner eye.’ He said the inner eye sees better than the naked eye, adding it is with the inner eye that one sees God and also know people in need.

Describing himself as a spiritual person, he disclosed there are seventy-two works that would be exhibited.

On his part, the curator, Moses Ohiomokhare, said Voice in pigment is the ultimate celebration of colour as a living force in arts, a voice without words, yet full of meaning.

Speaking in a similar vein, Chief Executive Officer, Auxilia Media Limited, Olufunke Fajusigbe, recollected childhood memories where her father was a great collector of local and international art work.

To her, “one of my father’s biggest quote was, ‘nature is kind, every creativity and thinking comes from nature.’ I’m very excited about the exhibition. The theme resonates with me.”

For art lovers, Voice in Pigment offers an opportunity to encounter Aderinsoye’s work in person and discover what stories emerge when colour takes centre stage.

The invitation offers a first glimpse of the visual energy behind the show. Its featured artwork brings broad, textured strokes of ochre, purple and earthy red into a composition that gives the exhibition its striking identity.

The exhibition, which started October 17, ends October 23, 2026 at National Museum, Onikan Lagos.