By Gregory Austin Nwakunor
Recently, Thought Pyramid Art Centre, Lagos hosted the grand exhibition of Next of Kin (NOK) Series 7. Held on Sunday, March 29, 2025, the show was an affirmation of art’s role as a significant contributor to economic development in the country.
Created to plan and prepare the future of visual art in Nigeria by discovering from emerging visual artists, one who possesses that peculiar artistic originality and creative disruptiveness with transcending futuristic ability and traits.
Since its inception in 2018, NOK has not only launched the careers of several talented artists but also illuminated the critical intersection of art, finance, and economic development. In less than seven years, it has evolved into a catalyst for emerging visual artists in Nigeria and across Africa. The series has grown to becoming an alternative to Life in My City Art Festival (LIMCAF) as the nation’s most enduring youth art competitions.
It continues to grow its impact and effectiveness through the transformative power of creativity to which it exposes young artists, enabling them to sell their works, earn handsome prizes and continually experience and interact with the larger art community including scholars, gallery owners and collectors, locally and internationally.
From its inaugural edition, NOK has given young talented artists the voice, platform and support to achieve big things. Little wonder this year’s theme, ‘Who Will Give Us A Masterpiece?’ sets an even higher bar, demanding nothing short of excellence from every artist involved.
According to the Founder and Artistic Director, Thought Pyramid Art Centre, Olorogun Jeff Ajueshi, “the fact that Next of Kin has now reached its seventh series, and is expanding for the second time beyond Nigeria to other African countries, is a testament to our unwavering commitment to promoting the visual arts, even in the face of Nigeria’s current economic uncertainties. This expansion speaks directly to the spirit of perseverance that runs deep at Thought Pyramid Art Centre.”
He said, “in these times of challenge, we would continue to push forward with determination, sacrificing where necessary, to sustain and motivate the brilliant visual artists who are not just creating works no fart, but masterpieces — Works that will continue to resonate decades from now, leaving us in awe: The artistry, creativity, and resilience that defines the very core of Thought Pyramid Art Centre.”
For 18 years, “we have dedicated ourselves to seeking and promoting the most transcendent Nigerian and, more recently, African art. It is an honour to note the impact this journey has had. The recognition and celebration of previous non-Nigerian NOK finalists such as Cliǖ Kibuuka from Uganda have been a source of pride for us. Through the exhibition, we have brought to light, artists whose works have earned them their well-deserved spots.”
Past winners such as Anthonia Nnneji, Christian Allison, and Yakno Jessica have seen their profiles soar, transitioning from emerging artists to sought-after names within collector circles. The ripple effects are clear: these artists now contribute to a burgeoning art market that has grown exponentially in Nigeria and across Africa.
Ajueshi said: “There is still much to be done, and we will continue to forge ahead, promoting and celebrating the extraordinary artists who shape our world. As you experience this collection of masterpieces, I invite you to delight in the talent, creativity, and commitment that have brought these works to life.”
Under the curation and coordination of the Exhibition Director of Thought Pyramid Art Centre, Mr. Ovie Omatsola, the Series has continued the competition’s legacy of elevating emerging artists. It has become synonymous with talent discovery and economic empowerment.
Omatsola said: “Art is an open question, an evolving dialogue between the artist and the world, between complexity and simplicity, between the seen and the felt. In Next of Kin Series 7, we ask: Who Will Give Us A Masterpiece? The question is both a challenge and an invitation—a call to the emerging artists of today to push the boundaries of form, invention, meaning, and innovation.”
This year’s jurors included Nathalie Djakou Kassi, a renowned Cameroonian artist currently based in Nigeria. Her work has been recognised internationally, including winning the first African Prize of Creativity at the Ouagadougou International Salon of Art Craft. She is celebrated globally for her ceramic art and creativity.
Also among the jurors was Kelani Abass whose works explore the fusion of the past and the present, focusing on material inheritance, memory, and the interplay of personal and societal histories.
Equally among the adjudicating team was Arinze Stanley Egbengwu whose background is in engineering, in spite of which he found his true passion in art. Inspired by African culture and personal experiences, his works often explore themes of identity, resilience, and shared experiences.
Featuring the works of 20 emerging artists from Africa, this series brings together diverse voices in a shared pursuit of mastery. The participants, predominantly Nigerian, are joined by Nothando Chiwanga from Zimbabwe, whose presence reinforces the series’ growing continental reach. The collection reflects a dynamic tension — some works are simple enough to be easily comprehended, while others are complex enough to be simply beautiful. This duality underscores the essence of a masterpiece: its ability to command attention, evoke emotion, and leave an indelible impression.
Twenty artists from different genres of art made it to the final. This figure was reduced to five — Uhule Nguemo Martha, Okeke Maduabuchi, Cletus Oche, Olatunde Emmanuel and Ibrahim Abiola Falilat — after a hard-fought online voting process. The shortlisted artists presented three of their best works.
At the end, Cletus Oche, a multidisciplinary artist whose practice blends hyperrealism, contemporary and surrealism, resulting in works that are constantly evolving through experimentation emerged the winner. A musician and multi-instrumentalist, Oche integrates the rhythm and emotion of music. His work, titled, Dreams of Defiants, (ink on canvas, 21×30 inches), Yet I will Be Lifted (ink, acrylic on canvas, 33×45 inches) and Just as We Are (ink on canvas, 33×13 inches) emerged the winner.
Abiola Falilat, the runner-up, was the first and only sculptor in the competition. A graduate from the University of Ibadan, Falilat uses stones to sculpt different visually appealing artworks. She also uses fibreglass, metals, clay, fabric and concrete for her work, exploring themes of curves, nature, softness and memory.
Nguemo Martha’s three works include, ‘Where do we go from here’ (oil on canvas, 60×60 inches) depicting the struggle of Nigerian youths who graduate, but still wander the street jobless and ready to japa; her Whisper (oil on canvas 39×28inches) and Natasha (oil on canvas, 39× 31inches).
There were also paintings by a chemistry graduate-turned artist, Olatunde Emmanuel. His works that made the grand exhibition were True Colour (Oxide clay and acrylic on canvas, 52×46 inches), Spirit, Soul and Body (Oxide clay and acrylic on canvas, 46×52 inches) and Identity Crisis (Oxide clay and acrylic on canvas 33×28 inches), which depicts the judgmental world humanity lives in, where people believe that their body might be trapping their true nature inside. It speaks to people who now choose their identities based on their feelings. Meanwhile, the human gender is very original, authentic, natural and realistic, which means we are who we are more than who we say we are.
Okeke Maduabuchi, an Auchi Polytechnic graduate from Ebonyi State, presented Consolation of souls (satin, acrylic and marker on canvas, 48×60 inches) which shows that a heart that has touched so many lives will live on. The work seeks to canvass for a better society where love leads to togetherness and sharing one’s troubles, Beyond Boundaries (satin, acrylic and marker on canvas, 30×36 inches) and Agnus Dei (Lamb of God) (satin, acrylic and marker on canvas, 30×36 inches).
The artists in Series 7 navigated personal histories, cultural identities, and contemporary realities with remarkable confidence. Their works — whether intricate or straightforward — demonstrated that mastery is not a singular achievement but an ongoing pursuit.
Speaking at the unveiling of the NOK Series 7 winner, Head of Corporate Affairs and Communications of Nigeria Machine Tools, Danyu Aishat, said the company believes in empowering young artists through the Corporate Social Responsibility initiative. “We value the transformative power of arts and creativity. We believe when you have an item, you can make something profound from it; hence our attraction to art.
“As a manufacturing company, we deal with raw materials and the process of turning raw materials into finished tools and machinery. We believe that every artist can utilize their skills to produce something extraordinary for the world to see,” Danyu said.
The Head of Institutional Sales, Trust Bank, Mr. Samuel Akpenyi, said the bank is happy to partner with Thought Pyramid to provide young artists with a platform to showcase their skills: “We all know that art is a big deal now, as it contributes to the economy. We have positioned ourselves as the bank with an artistic mindset, supporting young talented artists and showcasing them to the world.”
