On May 7, 2025, Thought Pyramid Art Centre proudly hosted the inaugural edition of MENTALLY 1.0, a virtual discourse platform aimed at supporting African visual artists with critical information and tools to manage their mental health as they navigate the unique pressures of their practice. The session was hosted live on the Thought Pyramid Zoom platform and drew in a passionate, pan-African audience of artists, art professionals, and mental health advocates.
MENTALLY is a pioneering initiative by Thought Pyramid Art Centre, created to foster open, honest, and expert-led conversations about mental health within the visual art community in Nigeria and across Africa. By bringing together medical professionals and art industry voices, the platform seeks to bridge the gap between artistic pursuit and mental wellness—offering support, shared experiences, and sustainable strategies for healthier artistic lives.
In recent years, mental health has taken global centre stage. Yet in Nigeria’s art industry, conversations around it remain largely in the shadows. Many visual artists in the country grapple with a range of mental health challenges—from financial instability to lifestyle imbalance and the emotional toll of producing deeply personal and thought-provoking work. Even those achieving international acclaim often speak of isolation and burnout.
To provide clarity and coping mechanisms, MENTALLY 1.0 featured three core speakers:
Dr. Salamah Junaid – “Beyond Emergencies: Building Mental Resilience Before Crisis Hits”
Mr. Waduud – “Creating Without Crashing: Sustaining Mental Wellness Amidst Art, Publicity, and Social Media Demands”
Dr. Bright Erhuvwu Ohwerhi – “Balancing Hustles: How Artists Can Maintain Mental Wellness While Juggling Multiple Non-Artistic Roles”
The event, which began at 7:00 PM WAT and almost ran into the early hours of the next day, also featured a special panel session titled:
“Global Voices, Shared Struggles: Mental Health and Artistic Growth for Nigerian Creatives at Home and Abroad.”
This panel brought together four Nigerian visual artists in the diaspora who candidly discussed how their personal and professional journeys intersect with mental health:
Hafizat Temilola Adegbile, Olabamidele Badmos, Olalekan Kelani, and Gbolohan Olanipekun.
Special guest contributors added further depth to the conversation, with thought-provoking insights from Olowu Ife (co-organizer), Ayodeji Oluwaseun Awoyomi, Rasaq Babatunde Adewunmi, and Ayodele Adedeji.
Following the strong reception of MENTALLY 1.0, planning is already underway for MENTALLY 2.0, scheduled for September 2025. The next edition is expected to feature contributions from respected voices such as Mr. Anselem Irechukwu Nkoro, Mr. Chukwudi Okoro, and others.
MENTALLY joins a growing list of developmental initiatives at Thought Pyramid Art Centre, including Mentoring Moments and the TPAC Curator and Gallery Assistant Workshop. These platforms reinforce TPAC’s commitment to fostering not just artistic excellence, but also the holistic wellbeing and professional growth of visual artists across Nigeria.
As we continue to build safe and empowering spaces for artists, MENTALLY stands as a vital reminder that creativity thrives best when the mind is cared for.
Getting over 33 registrations, MENTALLY 1.0. is a proof that the platform has long been in demand. And sign of the success that could be recorded for MENTALLY 2.0. 