Some bonds are more than friendships. They stand out as legacies. Auchi Art Royale, the organisers of 1499 Art Force exhibition at Thought Pyramid Art Center, Ikoyi brought together the distinguished members of the Auchi Klass of ’99, a rare constellation of creative forces whose ties have only deepened over the years. The exhibition opens on the 10th of August 2025

Featured artists are Ashikodi Okwudili, Braimoh Kingsley, Dudu Emmanuel, Enebeli Franklyn, Henry Igba, Imhonigie Imoesi, Joe Nsek, John Anabui, Klaranze Okhide, Musa Asuku, Nosakhare Osadolor, Ola Balogun, Oisereme Pius, and Titus Agbara, all stood shoulder to shoulder once again, each one a bright star in this royal gathering of talent showcasing contemporary paintings and sculptures.

The exhibition was more than an art show; it was a celebration of heritage, resilience, and enduring creativity. All 14 artists share a common root from the School of Art and Design, Federal Polytechnic Auchi where they graduated in 1999, carrying dreams that would one day colour the world.

When you plant value in people, in work, in life, you sow seeds that will always find a harvest, this evident in the group’s philosophy. And Twenty-six years later, those seeds, planted in the profound soil of their student years, have blossomed into a rich flourish of talent, heritage, and royal legacies.

The 1499 Art Force is not just a reunion, it is proof that time can mature art the way age enriches fine wine, making the 2025 showcase an unforgettable chapter in Africa’s art story.

The exhibition runs till 23rd of August 2025.

Words/Ireho Aito/Don’t Keep Your Art in the Finger!/Photographs/Klaranze Okhide and Musa Asuku Momoh