The exhibition, Testament of Legacy, Time and Space, was conceived as a celebration of every creative hand that has passed through Kunle Adeyemi Studios (KAS). It brings together both the independent voices who have since charted their own artistic paths and those still nurtured within the studio’s guiding walls. Over the years, KAS has welcomed more than forty aspiring talents from IT students and researchers to young learners introduced by their parents for educational enrichment. From this vibrant pool, twenty-five have now stepped forward to exhibit their works. Their participation stands not only as a tribute to the studio’s enduring influence but also as a testament to mentorship, continuity, and shared growth in the visual arts. Writes Ireho Aito

The National Museum, Onikan, Lagos, came alive on Saturday, October 4, 2025, as art lovers, collectors, scholars, and cultural figures gathered for the grand opening of Testament of Legacy, Time and Space a major exhibition curated by Dr. Bukola Jayesinmi. The show, a sweeping celebration of artistic continuity and patronage, featured Adeyemi alongside twenty-five other distinguished and young artists whose works collectively explored memory, identity, and the evolving narrative of Nigerian visual art.

In a carefully curated display, each of the 25 participating artists presented two works, while Dr. Adeyemi, the Grandmaster himself, exhibited five new pieces that reflected his ongoing engagement with form, history, and human experience. The exhibition, staged under the serene glow of the museum’s gallery lights, became a living dialogue between past and present between teacher and protégés, between creators and collectors.

But beyond its creative offerings, Testament of Legacy, Time and Space also served as a moving acknowledgment of those who have stood behind the growth of contemporary Nigerian art. The evening’s highlight came when patrons, enthusiasts, and long-standing supporters of Kunle Adeyemi Studios (KAS) were recognized with words of appreciation and commemorative plaques. Their names, now permanently etched into the annals of Kunle Adeyemi Studios, symbolize decades of faith, encouragement, and shared passion for visual culture.

Among those honoured was Professor (Mrs.) Ebun Clark, a towering figure in Nigeria’s cultural landscape and one of the nation’s most dedicated art collectors, whose commitment to supporting artists has spanned over sixty years. In an emotional moment, Professor Clark addressed the gathering, reflecting on her lifelong journey with Nigerian art and the importance of nurturing future generations. She later received an award of appreciation for her unwavering patronage and service to the visual arts, drawing warm applause from the audience.

Also honoured was Mr. Fola Adeola, co-founder of Guaranty Trust Bank, renowned not only for his business leadership but also for his quiet and consistent patronage of the arts. His daughter, Miss. Aderonke Adeola, accepted the plaque on his behalf and shared a few heartfelt words on the significance of legacy, continuity, and creativity within families.

Other patrons, including Mrs. Adebisi A. Fadipe, were recognized for their sustained commitment to the arts and their invaluable support for Kunle Adeyemi Studios. Each presentation became more than a ceremony, it was more like a reminder that behind every artist’s triumph lies a network of believers, collectors, and friends who make the work possible.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Kunle Adeyemi expressed deep gratitude to his fellow artists, collaborators, and patrons. “This exhibition is a testament not just to creativity, but to relationships that have endured through time and space,” he said. “We honour those who have walked this journey with us. They are mentors, collectors, and everyone who has believed in the power of art to shape minds and societies.”

As the evening drew to a close, guests lingered around the exhibits, enjoying vibrant canvases, sculptural forms, printmaking and mixed-media works that spoke to resilience and renewal. The air was filled with conversation, nostalgia, and pride, a shared sense that Testament of Legacy, Time and Space was not just an exhibition but an evolving archive of artistic spirit.

For Lagos, a city that never ceases to reinvent itself, the exhibition stands as both a reflection and a prophecy: that the stories of Nigerian art grounded in time, framed by space, and carried by legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.

Words Ireho Aito/Don’t Keep Your Art in the Finger!/Photographs/Kunle Adeyemi Studios