Akeem used a bird’s nest with dry eggs incubating, a bold symbol of nurture, patience, and the delicate care life demands after birth. Writes Ireho Aito

Last weekend, Ikeja was buzzing with creativity as the Artzero Art Salon Exhibition lit up BA’s Place for two full days of colour, sculpture, and conversations. Among the star attractions was none other than Akeem Muraina, the calm and soft-spoken sculptor from Ibadan, known for giving his works Yoruba titles that carry deep meaning and promote our cultural renaissance.

At the salon, Akeem unveiled Igbebi, a sculptural piece that turns the idea of postnatal care into a striking metaphor. Instead of showing a mother and baby, Akeem used a bird’s nest with dry eggs incubating, a bold symbol of nurture, patience, and the delicate care life demands after birth. The work cleverly connects tradition with art, much like Artzero itself, a group that started on Facebook under the guidance of sculptor Ato Arinze, who has made it his mission to mentor and inspire young creatives across Nigeria. Artzero has risen from Incubation to become one of the most illustrious art platforms to come out of Africa.

Dressed in traditional Yoruba attire with a matching cap, Akeem’s presence was as artistic as his work, dignified yet approachable. For him, Igbebi is not just about motherhood; it’s about growth, protection, and the gentle push life needs to blossom.

Born in Ibadan in 1966, Akeem has spent decades shaping discarded metal into powerful sculptures. A proud graduate of Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, he is proof of the school’s reputation for producing artists who shine far beyond Nigeria’s borders. His second solo exhibition, Metalphysics Alliance – The Cow, The Pastures and The Tenants, held in April 2024 at Signature Beyond Gallery, wowed audiences with four-dimensional narrative sculptures that blended philosophy, culture, and craftsmanship.
With Igbebi, Akeem once again shows why he is not just an artist but a storyteller, reminding us that every creation, like every child, deserves care, time, and a chance to grow.

Words/Ireho Aito/Don’t Keep Your Art in the Finger!/Photographs/Kingdavid Kolawole/Ato Arinze/Artzero