At a time when contemporary Nigerian artists are increasingly exploring society through layered visual narratives, A Few Minutes After by Sola Muyiwa at Quintessence Gallery emerged as a thoughtful exhibition where watercolour became both memory and subtle protest. Here are six major highlights from the exhibition. The exhibition is still ongoing till May 10, 2026.

Six Highlights of Sola Muyiwa’s A Few Minutes After Exhibition at Quintessence Gallery

Words Ireho Aito | Don’t Keep Your Art in the Finger! Photographs courtesy Sola Muyiwa

Quintessence Gallery’s Enduring Legacy in Nigerian Art

Quintessence Gallery founded in 1975 once again reaffirmed its status as one of Nigeria’s most enduring cultural institutions. From its celebrated years at Falomo, Ikoyi, through its Parkview transition, to its present home on Akin Olugbade Street in Victoria Island, the gallery continues to provide a thriving platform for contemporary Nigerian artists. The visionary legacy of Swedish-born Chief Mrs. Aino Oni – Okpaku remains visible in the gallery’s unwavering commitment to artistic excellence.

Watercolour is the Weapon

In A Few Minutes After, Sola Muyiwa transformed watercolour into a subtle but powerful instrument of social commentary. Rather than aggressive political imagery, the artist employed soft washes, layered tones and emotional restraint to communicate quiet resistance and reflection. Sincerely, he made the audience to realise the power of the artist as a true mirror of the society. His watercolour was the weapon

The Makoko Narrative Beneath the Paintings

One of the strongest undercurrents in the exhibition was its social commentary on Makoko and the realities of urban displacement. The works reflected fragile living conditions, uncertainty and survival within Lagos’ waterfront communities, presenting protest through poetic visual storytelling instead of direct confrontation.

Silence and Reflection as Artistic Language

The exhibition stood out for its calm atmosphere and emotional depth. Muyiwa’s paintings invited viewers into contemplative spaces where silence carried meaning. His works suggested that protest can exist in stillness, memory and mood as much as in loud activism.

Lagos as Both Inspiration and Tension

The exhibition subtly captured the contradictions of Lagos itself from beauty alongside hardship, growth beside displacement, and ambition mixed with vulnerability. Through atmospheric compositions, the city appeared not merely as a backdrop but as an active emotional presence within the works.

A Meeting Point of Legacy and Contemporary Relevance

The exhibition highlighted how Quintessence Gallery continues to bridge generations of Nigerian art. By hosting socially conscious contemporary artists like Sola Muyiwa, the gallery demonstrated its continuing relevance within Nigeria’s evolving cultural conversation while preserving its historic role in nurturing artistic voices.

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