The Lineage of Masters exhibition in honour of Professor Yusuf Grillo is not just another art show happening in Lagos at the moment, it is a gathering of memory, mentorship, and mastery. Four years after his passing, the walls of Grilloart Limited in Ikeja carry his spirit every year, and this is reflected in the works of those he inspired.

Here are five talking points that make this exhibition unforgettable. Words Ireho Aito

A Reunion Beyond Time
This exhibition feels less like a gallery opening and more like a family homecoming. Artists, curators, friends, and students of Grillo converged not only to view art at the opening ceremony but to reconnect with the man whose influence still binds them. It is the fourth memorial exhibition, yet the energy suggests a tradition that will continue for decades. And the roll call was illustrious.

The Power of Mentorship
Grillo’s greatness was not only exemplified on canvases but also in the countless artists he nurtured at Yaba College of Technology and beyond. His quiet generosity, scholarships, and guidance have become the invisible threads connecting the works of the thirteen exhibiting artists. Every brushstroke, pastel and sculpture echoes his role as a mentor who turned classrooms into creative sanctuaries.

Diversity of Mediums and Voices
From Sam Ovrait’s pastel portraits to Adeola Balogun’s sculptural installations, the exhibition embraces variety. Paintings, watercolours, collages, and fired clay sit side by side, proving that Nigerian art is not bound by one form. Each artist interprets memory differently. Whether through bold oils like Duke Asidere’s Rainfall or the delicate whispers of Onabanjo Lekan’s watercolours.

Women at the Vanguard
The exhibition also highlights women artists who continue to carry Grillo’s legacy into new spaces. Odun Orinmolade’s Particles of Word explores language through collage, while UK-based Lara Ige-Jacks draws geography into memory with works like Ikirun, Close to My Hometown. Their presence reflects Grillo’s belief that art is a language open to every voice, regardless of gender.

Grillo’s Eternal Presence
Though he left in 2021, Grillo’s spirit is everywhere, in the geometry, in the colours, in the sense of discipline that underpins the works. His students, associates and peers make it clear: Grillo’s true masterpiece was not just his paintings, but the community of artists he shaped. This exhibition reminds us that art does not end with death, it only transforms, multiplies, and lives on.

Lineage of Masters is more than an exhibition; it is a cultural pilgrimage. Visitors leave not just with images in their minds but with the deep sense of belonging to a creative lineage that began with Yusuf Grillo and continues through the hands of those he touched. The exhibition runs 13th of September 2025.

Words by Ireho Aito for iBAND Magazine