Bringing together the best of both worlds in the form of art patrons and connoisseurs of coffee, Fobally Gallery is hosting the first-of-its-kind exhibition in Lagos, which honours Nigerian coffee and blends it with art.
Titled ‘Coffee and Art Exhibition: Brew & Brushstrokes’ and holding at the gallery’s grounds in Lekki, Lagos, the exhibition kicked off on October 1 and is expected to run till October 10, 2025.
Speaking with The Guardian, the gallery’s Creative Director, Folashade Abiola, noted that her vision for the exhibition is to create a space where the rich and sensory world of coffee collides with the emotive power of visual and experiential art.
She added that each artwork on display represents a personal journey of discovery, daily life experiences, and captured narratives in pigment, texture, and form.
“This exhibition invites you to slow down, sip deeply, and experience coffee itself and its creatives that have come in diverse forms in this exhibition.
“In this space, our aim is to create an exhibition that is accessible to all, from seasoned art enthusiasts to casual coffee drinkers. We want to cultivate a space where everyone is welcome to explore, discover, and connect.
The exhibition will continue to serve as a platform to support local artists and coffee businesses by providing them with opportunities to showcase their talents and products to a wider audience,” she said.
Describing it as more than an exhibition, she said it is a celebration of creativity, community, and the simple pleasures that enrich lives. She noted that the ultimate goal is to celebrate the beauty of art, the richness of coffee, and the power of community.
“We want ‘Caffeine & Canvas’ to be more than just an exhibition; we want it to be a destination, a place where people feel inspired, connected, and energised. We believe that this unique combination of art and coffee will resonate with a wide audience and leave a lasting impression.
“Some of the works literally use coffee as pigment — brown washes blooming on paper like stories steeping. We also took care to honour coffee’s origin and its global journey. Art is not made in isolation, neither is coffee best enjoyed alone. This exhibition is a reminder that creativity is a conversation without end,” she said.
With a total of seven artists exhibiting, all the works on display were made with or from coffee and its derivatives. The participating artists include Sola Muyiwa, Dozie Asogwa, Benjamin Oladapo, Victor Obot, Ashaolu Tomiwa, Richard Segun Omotosho, and Augustine Ekhaiyeme.
Speaking at the exhibition’s opening, Mrs Jane hailed the gallery, noting that it continues to push the frontiers of art. Describing the exhibition as unique, she said it brings sight and taste together (art and coffee), both of which can uplift, awaken, and energise.
“It also opens our eyes to the economic wealth of Nigeria, which lies in coffee. It is a potential major FX earner for Nigeria and can alleviate poverty and strengthen our economic base. This is a celebration of resourcefulness and innovation,” she said.
Watercolourist Sola Muyiwa divulged that he used coffee as a medium and metaphor, transforming its earthy tones into visual stories of daily life and culture. The artist, who has been painting for almost four decades but worked with coffee as an art medium for the very first time, noted that in putting together the body of work for the exhibition,
it created a strong impact within him and he hoped that viewers and patrons would feel the passion through the art on display. “I could feel the impact as I was painting. A lot of the works evoke warmth, nostalgia, and shared human experiences and are aimed at sparking long-forgotten memories when you look at them. ‘Echoes of the Commute’ is a reflection of our daily activities whereby individually, we experience the same things. We all express things differently even though we are all together in this journey of life, and this is a reflection of our different journeys,” he said.
Abiola hailed the creativity on display, saying there are no limits to what artists can do and how people view art. Noting that Nigeria grows coffee, she expressed sadness that its numerous and immense potentials have not been fully explored yet.
President of the West Africa Specialty Coffee Association (WASCA), Larry Segun-Lean, revealed that coffee is grown in 14 states in Nigeria but is yet to achieve its potential.
“We have been trying to make people realise its numerous benefits and its economic potential, not just in art alone but in daily living. As much as two billion dollars can be realised from the sale of coffee yearly, but we have failed to tap into this market. It is the second most traded commodity in the world, and the faster we explore it, the better off we would be,” he said.
