Thought Pyramid Crowned Best Gallery in Nigeria, Becomes First Ever to Win Prestigious World Art Award

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Nigeria’s art scene just reached a breathtaking new peak. We are beyond thrilled to announce that Thought Pyramid Art Centre has officially been named one of the World Art Awards (WAA) Top 20 Galleries for 2025.

Even more historic? Thought Pyramid has been crowned the Best Gallery in Nigeria, making it the first-ever Nigerian art gallery to receive this prestigious international honor.

What Does it Take to be the Best?

The World Art Awards board doesn’t choose winners lightly. To make the Top 20, a gallery must prove excellence across the board. Selections are meticulously vetted based on:

  • Longevity & Reputation: Years of established excellence in the industry.

  • Curatorial Impact: Socially relevant exhibits and the caliber of represented artists.

  • Community & Education: Impactful, motivational, and educational programs.

  • The “Buzz”: Online presence and glowing references from artists, clients, and visitors alike.

Thought Pyramid didn’t just meet these criteria; we redefined them for the African continent.

Putting Nigeria on the Global Map

Thought Pyramid Art Centre now stands shoulder-to-shoulder with some of the most iconic art spaces on the planet. Out of the thousands of galleries worldwide, only 20 are chosen annually, and in 2025, Thought Pyramid is one of only three African galleries to be selected.

By joining the ranks of legendary spaces like the Wetterling Gallery (Sweden), Comptoir des Mines Galerie (Morocco), and Thornwood Gallery (USA), Thought Pyramid has solidified its status as a global powerhouse for contemporary art.

The 2025 Global Elite

Here is a look at the “Best in World” neighbors Thought Pyramid now shares the spotlight with:

Region Gallery
Nigeria Thought Pyramid Art Centre
Morocco Comptoir des Mines Galerie
Zambia Zeela Art Gallery & Homestay
USA (California) CODA
Sweden Wetterling Gallery
The Netherlands The Arden Art Gallery
Hong Kong Pekin Fine Arts
Ukraine Art Ukraine Gallery

Other winners include top-tier galleries from Iceland, Indonesia, Malaysia, Taiwan, Texas+New Mexico, and more.

A Victory for African Art

This isn’t just a win for a single gallery; it is a win for the Nigerian creative spirit. It validates the years of hard work, the bold storytelling of our artists, and the vibrant cultural heritage that Thought Pyramid works so tirelessly to preserve and promote.

To our artists, collectors, and visitors: This award belongs to you, too. Thank you for being part of the journey that took us from the heart of Nigeria to the top of the world.

Visit us in 2026 and experience the “Best in Nigeria” for yourself.

THE LAST ACT 2.0: Closing the Year in Art, Gratitude, and Reflection

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THE LAST ACT 2.0, presented by Thought Pyramid Art Centre, officially came to a close on 15 December 2025, standing as the gallery’s final exhibition of the year.

Launched initially in 2023, THE LAST ACT has grown into an enigmatic and much-anticipated showcase. The 2.0 edition featured works by renowned Ugandan artist Cliff Kibuuka, alongside striking paintings and sculptures by celebrated Nigerian artists including Yomi Momoh, Joseph Olabisi, and several others.

Beyond the artworks on display, THE LAST ACT exists as more than a conventional exhibition. It is a moment of reflection and celebration—a space created for art lovers, artists, and collectors who have supported, collaborated with, sponsored, worked with, and believed in Thought Pyramid Art Centre throughout the year.

The THE LAST ACT Group Art Exhibition is the gallery’s intentional way of saying thank you. Through an intimate gathering, it offers collectors a rare opportunity to engage closely with artists and to view and acquire works by names that have long remained on their bucket lists for the year.

As the curtains close on the exhibition and the year itself, THE LAST ACT 2.0 stands as both a culmination and a celebration—honouring shared journeys, creative partnerships, and the enduring power of art to bring people together. This year’s showcase is curated by Ovie Omatsola, Exhibition Director Thought Pyramid Art Centre.

MOMENTS AND MOODS, CURATED BY OLOROGUN JEFF AJUESHI

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MOMENTS AND MOODS is a poignant visual journey into the inner landscapes of human experience as told through more than 21 artworks avross wood carvings, fibreglass heads, pastel and charcoal drawings of Ebong Ekwere. From sweeping curves to deep chisel marks, Ekwere brings to life the fleeting yet powerful emotions that define our existence.

Born in 1961 and trained at Yaba College of Technology, Ebong Ekwere stands as one of Nigeria’s most accomplished sculptors. This debut solo art exhibition by Ebong Ekwere revisits themes explored in earlier titles, serving as a powerful statement from him. It affirms that he remains firm and unshaken, with stories that carry the weight and resonance of true timber and calibre. His works stand with the strength of an artist who never departed—rooted in his humble beginnings yet enriched by time. Drawing from a deep understanding of human imperfections gained with age, Ekwere transforms these insights into captivating works of refined beauty. Together, they form a cohesive narrative of endurance, memory, and introspection.

Through male and female figures alike, Ekwere translates intangible feelings into tangible forms. A woman lost in sorrow, a confident masculine back, lovers in silent play, and the vulnerability of youth all converge to form a deeply emotive and reflective body of work.

MOMENTS AND MOODS is not just a sculptural or multimedia display; it is an emotional reckoning. It reminds us that even in silence, wood speaks, even in stillness, we feel. And through art, we connect—across time, across form, and across the depths of mood and memory.

 

Abuja reignites Vision of The Last Quarters II

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Thought Pyramid Art Centre Abuja on Saturday, 18 October launched the historic group exhibition—Vision of The Last Quarter II: From Myth to Memory – The Osogbo Legacy—honoring the enduring spirit of Osogbo Art and the cultural legends who birthed it. The exhibition is billed to remain open for viewing till Friday, 31 October 2025.

Following the landmark 2018 Lagos edition that celebrated 50 years of Osogbo Art, the 2025 exhibition passes the baton to Abuja, inviting audiences to rediscover the mystical and symbolic art movement that changed the face of Nigerian modernism. Featuring seminal works by Twins Seven Seven, Jimoh Buraimoh, Adebisi Fabimbe, Muraina Oyelami, and Rufus Ogundele, this showcase is a tribute to a legacy born in myth, matured in movement, and cemented in memory.

This year’s theme, From Myth to Memory, reflects on the transformation of Osogbo Art from its deeply spiritual, Yoruba cosmological roots to its celebrated status as a globally respected cultural heritage. The exhibition offers a rare opportunity to connect with the timeless beauty, storytelling, and symbolic language of Osogbo’s legendary artists.

Excerpt from Curatorial Statement:

Revisiting the Legacy of the Osogbo Art Movement

“Vision of the Last Quarter II” is a profound curatorial meditation on one of the most transformative artistic movements in postcolonial Africa: the Osogbo Art Movement. Emerging in the crucible of Nigeria’s cultural renaissance during the 1960s, the movement was not merely an artistic development—it was a radical reclamation of identity, memory, and indigenous epistemologies in the aftermath of colonial disruption.

The exhibition revisits this seminal moment with a critical yet reverent eye, foregrounding the enduring legacies of five foundational figures—Twins Seven Seven, Jimoh Buraimoh, Adebisi Fabunmi, Muraina Oyelami, and Rufus Ogundele—whose works serve as visual testaments to a movement that was, and remains, deeply embedded in Yoruba cosmology, spirituality, and communal knowledge systems.

At its heart, Osogbo Art was a collaborative crucible where tradition met innovation. Rooted in the sacred and performative traditions of Yoruba culture—Òrìṣà worship, oral storytelling, music, masquerade, and textile arts—the Osogbo artists developed a singular visual language. This language defied the binaries of ‘primitive’ and ‘modern’, ‘local’ and ‘international’, instead creating a syncretic aesthetic that was at once mythic and modern, ritualistic and revolutionary.

Far from being confined to galleries or elite institutions, the Osogbo movement was born of grassroots engagement—of artists who were often self-taught, who worked outside formal academies, and who saw their practice as a living, breathing act of cultural preservation and renewal. These artists channeled ancestral energies and communal narratives, turning canvas, wood, and mosaic into sacred vessels of meaning. In their hands, art became a portal—a visionary space for dreaming futures rooted in indigenous knowledge and memory.

This exhibition, marking 57 years since the consolidation of the movement, seeks not only to honor its past but to interrogate its ongoing relevance. In a world increasingly grappling with the aftershocks of colonialism, globalization, and cultural erasure, the Osogbo Art Movement stands as a vital model of decolonial creativity. It reminds us that art is not merely a product of individual genius, but a communal offering—an invocation of spirit, place, and historical consciousness.

Vision of the Last Quarter II is thus not a retrospective in the traditional sense. It is a return, a reactivation, and a reimagining. It invites us to engage with these visionary works not as relics of a bygone era, but as living archives—charged with spiritual resonance and contemporary urgency. The bold lines, intricate patterns, and esoteric symbols present in the works of these five masters continue to echo, challenging us to rethink the boundaries of African modernism and to embrace a more expansive, cosmologically attuned vision of art.

Ultimately, this exhibition affirms the Osogbo artists as cultural custodians, mythmakers, and revolutionaries—whose legacies illuminate a path toward radical self-definition and artistic sovereignty. In revisiting their vision, we encounter not the end of an era, but the continuity of a sacred dialogue between past and future, tradition and transformation.

Let this second vision of the last quarter be a call to remembrance—and to reawakening.

Jeff Ajueshi. ( Chief )

Lead Curator

Thought Pyramid Art Centre

JÁPA at Thought Pyramid Art Centre

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We are pleased to introduce “JÁPA FILM & ART GROUP EXHIBITION”, a compelling dual-channel project presented by Thought Pyramid Art Centre Lagos x Next of Kin. This powerful initiative features a feature-length documentary and a group art exhibition exploring one of the most pressing realities in contemporary Nigeria — mass migration.

The word JÁPA (with tonal emphasis) is derived from the Yoruba language. It combines “já” (to run) and “pá” (completely) to evoke an urgent escape—a fitting metaphor for the current wave of young Nigerians fleeing the country in search of better opportunities abroad.

The Project

JÁPA is a multi-phased project designed to investigate the migration phenomenon both introspectively and outwardly through visual storytelling and artistic reflection. It comprises a documentary film and a group exhibition and presents a narrative of search, sacrifice, resilience, and reckoning.

Through the lens of fifteen exceptional visual artists — all alumni of the Next of Kin Art Competition by Thought Pyramid Art Centre — the project offers a critical look at the systemic, personal, and societal factors fueling Nigeria’s emigration wave.

Together, the film and exhibition act as a mirror to the nation, and the creative space- revealing not just why people are leaving, but what it means to stay. JÁPA is not just a critique. It is a call to listen, to reflect, and perhaps, to return.

PART I: THE DOCUMENTARY

A nonfiction documentary film that captures the motivations, triumphs, struggles, and realities behind the mass exodus of Nigerian youths. The film amplifies youthful voices and asks: Why are they leaving? What are they leaving behind? And what becomes of the nation left in their wake?

Participating artists were featured as interviewees, contributing to a rich and personal storytelling approach.

PART II: THE ART EXHIBITION

The accompanying group exhibition will feature fifteen (15) dynamic visual artists, each exhibiting a minimum of two works that interrogate, visualise, or reflect on the JÁPA phenomenon. Together, their works create a textured visual commentary on displacement, hope, disillusionment, and renewal.

Participating Artists:

Ademola Ojo

Christian Allison

Olalekan Adeyemi Julius

Caroline Useh

Popoola Nurudeen

Segun Jiboku

Ikechukwu Ezeigwe

Bertha Onyekachi

Segun Fagorusi

Hassan Abdulazeez

Alogi John

Akinnire Solomon

Sidney Osioh

Odinakachi Okoroafor

The Undiscovered Series-Group Art Exhibition- by Thought Pyramid Art Centre

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Following a successful show at Thought Pyramid Art Centre Abuja and Thought Pyramid Art Centre Lagos for Undiscovered Abuja 3.0 and Undiscovered Lagos 3.0 respectively, The Undiscovered Series by Thought Pyramid Art Centre is set to launch its second edition at the gallery’s branch in Benin City, Edo State.

Undiscovered Benin 2.0. is set to feature 18 visual artists across diverse mediums. It is set to run from October 11th to 26th.

“The Undiscovered Series by Thought Pyramid Art Centre” emerged from a deep desire to break free from routine and venture into uncharted artistic territories. Conceived as a transformative platform, it celebrates the raw brilliance and untapped potential of emerging visual artists across Nigeria. Since its inception in 2023, The Undiscovered Series by Thought Pyramid Art Centre has showcased remarkable talents.

The Undiscovered Series 1.0.

Exhibiting Artists, Thought Pyramid Art Centre Lagos: Davies Ben, Tochukwu Orazulike, Yakno Jessicah, Nnorom Samuel, Faith Michael.

Exhibiting Artists, Thought Pyramid Art Centre Abuja: Bella Mfon, Faith Omole, Ibrahim Salami, Maduka Onyebuchi, Nebolisa Kelly, Ojenike Oladapo, Opara Courage, Paschal Ugwu, Gift Osague, Abdulwaduud Afolabi.

The Undiscovered Series 2.0.

Exhibiting Artists, Thought Pyramid Art Centre Benin: Joval Oshone-Umoru, Opasade Olukunle, Gabrielle Shaka Momodu, Benson Oseghe, Victor Ogwamenhlu, Mitchelle James, Segun Abraham, Omolosho Lawunmi, Blessing Odigie, Victor Ekene, Blessing Odigie, Ewulo Esther, Innocent Momoh, Ishola Paul.

Exhibiting Artists, Thought Pyramid Art Centre Abuja: Naomi Oyeniyi, Adetoro Debas, Cletus Oche, Victoria Oniosun, Babatunde Abubakar, Kemabiu Emmanuel, Mariam Olubunmi, Praise Chiamaka, Oluwatobiloba Fasalejo, Febiola Oladipo, Ima Ayodele, Mary Balogun, Esther Oyeyemi, Idara Tom, Oluchi Anaghoba, Kindness Ojonugwa, Odogwu Emmanuel, Joel Mangai, Ajibola Adekanmbi, Muktar Yusuf, Joseph Ogbole, Angela Omozuapo, Yaron Elisha.

Exhibiting Artists, Thought Pyramid Art Centre Lagos: Damilola Ajegbomogun, Chinaza Nkemka, Aremu Olatunji, Ganiyat Abdulazeez, Azeez Salami Oladimeji, Moses Oyeleye.

These are artists whose works have enriched Nigeria’s cultural landscape and stirred dialogue within contemporary art circles.

From the inaugural editions at Thought Pyramid Art Centre Lagos and Thought Pyramid Art Centre Abuja in 2023, to the successful debut of Undiscovered Benin 1.0 at Thought Pyramid Art Centre Benin in 2024, this group art exhibition has steadily evolved, featuring over 40 exhibiting visual artists across the gallery’s branches nationwide. The art curation by Adetiloye Oluwatosin Jekami has remained deliberate and discerning, often spotlighting artists debuting in a city or country for the first time. Even for those with international exposure, Undiscovered provides a renewed platform to reposition them within Nigeria’s dynamic art scene.

At its core, Undiscovered by Thought Pyramid Art Centre is an invitation to witness the hidden gems within Africa’s artistic landscape. An opportunity for art lovers, stakeholders, and collectors to engage deeper with these voices, explore their unique visual languages, and appreciate the depths of their fresh creativity. It recognizes the endless possibilities that lie within the expansive realms of imagination and serves as a reminder that the Nigerian art world is ever-evolving, always ready for new perspectives.

Beyond being an art exhibition, Undiscovered is a beacon of support for visual artists navigating the often challenging path to recognition. As a gallery with almost two decades of championing talent under the leadership of Obarisi Jeff Ajueshi, Thought Pyramid Art Centre conceived this initiative as a lifeline — reigniting the embers of determination, offering a standard platform for exhibition, and providing visibility that many of emerging/fast rising visual artists have long deserved.

The canvas of Undiscovered by Thought Pyramid Art Centre is a masterpiece in itself. It is a merging of vibrant pigments of resilience, originality, and diligence. It stands as an oasis of opportunity, thrusting deserving young/fast rising visual artists onto a bigger stage they have earned through sheer uniqueness and commitment.

As we present the 2025 editions — Undiscovered Lagos 3.0, Undiscovered Abuja 3.0, and Undiscovered Benin 2.0 — we are excited to invite you, our dear amazing visual artist, to journey with us beyond familiar paths. We trust that as guests step into our gallery spaces, they will very well immerse themselves in the ingenuity in your gems, and witness your evolution as Nigeria’s/Africa’s creative future.

 

 

GALLERY INTRODUCTION 1499 Art Force – A Majestic Assembly of Creative Unity

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It is with immense appreciation that we welcome you to “1499 Art Force”, the fourth group exhibition by the distinguished consortium now known as Auchi Art Royale. This body of 14 accomplished contemporary Nigerian artists—painters and sculptors alike—are all proud alumni of the renowned Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi, Edo State, class of 1999.

Their artistic journey, marked by unity and unflinching commitment to excellence, began twenty-two years ago with their debut exhibition at the National Museum, Lagos. One year after their third showing, they now return with renewed purpose, vision, and under a new identity. It is a true honour that Thought Pyramid Art Centre, Lagos has been selected as the first gallery to host this newly rebranded collective.

We are particularly proud to host “1499 Art Force” not only because each of the 14 exhibiting artists is a celebrated figure in today’s contemporary Nigerian art scene, but because of the values they embody—values we have also championed for the past 18 years: unity, creative brilliance, and cultural continuity.

The title of the exhibition—1499 Art Force—ingeniously merges the group’s graduation year (1999) with the number of its members (14), symbolising both the strength of their bond and the collective creative force they wield. As viewers move through the exhibition, they will encounter not just masterful techniques and seasoned styles, but a palpable sense of class and timeless grace reminiscent of royalty—befitting for a group now aptly named Auchi Art Royale.

This exhibition is more than a visual feast; it is a celebration of heritage, a reaffirmation of the power of collaboration, and a bold declaration of what is possible when artists grow together and hold one another accountable to elite performance.

As a gallery that has long committed itself to supporting visionary talents and nurturing platforms that foster collective growth, we find deep joy in presenting this exhibition. We are also hopeful that it will inspire the next generation of artists—particularly undergraduates and recent graduates—to build lasting camaraderie, champion mutual progress, and reinforce the value of our academic institutions in nurturing artistic potential.

We congratulate the artists of Auchi Art Royale on this remarkable presentation and thank them for choosing to continue their legacy with us. May “1499 Art Force” be a resounding call to uphold our cultural legacy, strive for unity, and aspire toward artistic innovation without borders.

Olorogun Jeff Ajueshi

Founder and Artistic Director

Thought Pyramid Art Centre

Abuja | Lagos | Oghara | Benin

 

BEYOND WORDS, Debut Nigerian Solo Exhibition by Yakno Jessicah Ene Lagos+Beyond Words and Time by Yakno Jessicah Ene

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Following her debut international solo exhibition, Tresses and Textures, showcased at The Other Art Fair in Dallas in 2024 and funded by Next of Kin and Thought Pyramid Art Centre, Yakno Jessicah Ene—winner of the landmark Next of Kin Series 6, the first edition of the prestigious competition to welcome visual artists from across Africa—returns with her highly anticipated Nigerian debut solo exhibition, BEYOND WORDS AND TIME. This exhibition marks the grand prize for her triumph in Series 6. This exhibition, curated by Adétilóyè Olúwatósìn Jẹ́kámí, features 16 compelling works that extend Yakno’s artistic voice far beyond conventional discourse.

Anchored in surrealist visual language, BEYOND WORDS AND TIME explores the nuanced intersections of identity, time, and the complex cultural expectations imposed on women. Each piece becomes an invitation to be heard rather than interpret—summoning the subconscious into spaces where language may falter but emotion persists.

More than a showcase of technical brilliance, BEYOND WORDS AND TIME is a reflective journey into the unsaid—the repressed histories, the quiet revolts, the invisible negotiations of the everyday life of women. In silence and form, Yakno reminds us that what cannot be spoken may still be powerfully seen.

The exhibition opening included special performances by Brenda Nwafor and The Thauvma Musical Drama Group.

Thought Pyramid Art Centre Lagos Partners with Visionary Voices Again.

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At Thought Pyramid Art Centre, we believe that true excellence lies in the recognition, nurturing, and projection of diverse creative voices—voices that not only challenge convention but also offer refreshing and impactful perspectives for the present and future. This belief has shaped our journey toward becoming Nigeria’s leading art hub, a journey that continues to be guided by inclusivity, innovation, and social consciousness.

It is this very essence that Visionary Voices embodies. Now in its third edition, Visionary Voices 3.0 perfectly reflects the roundness of our institution—the completeness of our vision. Every young creative writer, and visual artist featured in this series speaks powerfully to the evolving spirit of contemporary creativity and art in Nigeria and beyond. Each voice, each work, is a mirror of a society in motion and a bold proclamation of what is possible when talent meets purpose. Especially knowing that these are works of very young ones between the ages of 8-18 years. Absolutely, stunning.

We are proud to partner and have embraced Visionary Voices, not just because of the striking alignment with our vision for the Thought Pyramid Art Training Centres, but most importantly, because of the commitment this platform makes to empowering the next generation of creative leaders. These are the voices that will shape the cultural and intellectual landscape of Nigeria and the world.

We are honored to be part of this mission. For us, this moment is not only about giving back to our immediate community—it is about influencing the future of the creative atmosphere in our nation. And as we move forward, we are confident that more people, institutions, and stakeholders will see the value of joining this transformative journey.

A heartfelt congratulations to Mrs. Odunayo Adegbaju, the Founder and Director of Visionary Voices. Sustaining a vision of this magnitude for three consecutive years speaks volumes of your dedication, resilience, and dedication. What you have built is not just a platform—it is a legacy, one that is already etched in the sands of time.

Congratulations once again on this remarkable milestone.

By Olorogun Jeff Ajueshi

Founder and Artistic Director,

Thought Pyramid Art Centre

Abuja|Lagos|Oghara|Benin.

 

OSAM’S SECOND SOLO EXHIBITION

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Osamudiame Ugbani Aiwerioghene, known simply as Osam, returned with his second solo exhibition—an eventful and thought-provoking showcase of artistic growth and exploration. Held in collaboration with Thought Pyramid Art Centre, the exhibition took place over two impactful days at our gallery, May 31st and June 1st, drawing collectors, enthusiasts, and fellow creatives into Osam’s evolving visual world.

The exhibition featured over 20 works, each one reflecting Osam’s continued interrogation of self, society, and symbolism through a refined yet experimental lens. From bold brushstrokes to intimate compositions, the body of work revealed a deepening confidence in style and storytelling—marking a significant milestone in the artist’s journey.

By engaging both the public and private gaze, Osam’s exhibition invited dialogue on identity, presence, and perception, reminding audiences of the power of visual art to provoke, heal, and connect.

The two-day showing not only affirmed Osam’s place among Nigeria’s promising contemporary artists but also demonstrated Thought Pyramid Art Centre’s commitment to nurturing talent through meaningful exhibitions and collaborative platforms.