Renowned Nigerian artist Demola Ogunajo has launched his first solo exhibition, titled Womb 2 Street, at Soto Gallery in Ikoyi, Lagos. The exhibition, which runs from November 5 to December 8, 2025, presents 20 distinctive works that explore the collision between everyday life and spiritual realms.
Where Lagos Streets Meet Celestial Battles
Ogunajo's exhibition creates a unique space where bumper sticker slogans intersect with celestial warfare, and angels share canvas space with familiar Lagos street motifs. The artist describes the collection as an exploration of his inner preoccupations and Christian faith.
"There's this affinity to present works that affect people positively. It's a kind of an inner urge, inner call, kind of an inner responsibility to affect people positively," Ogunajo explained. "All the works presented in this exhibition come from my faith as a Christian and are geared towards that direction."
Christ-Consciousness and Cultural Fusion
The conceptual artist delves deep into what he describes as Christ-consciousness – living with an awareness of God's presence. His works boldly challenge the secular biases often found in the art world while refusing to reduce spirituality to mere dogma.
Ogunajo's artistic practice involves a relentless reimagining of identity and belief systems. He masterfully bridges two worlds: the richness of his Yoruba heritage and the clarity of his Christian convictions. Through this fusion, he proposes a radical inclusivity where faith and culture coexist in dynamic relationship.
His canvases are filled with paradox – playful yet profound, cartoonish yet cosmic. They draw heavily from Nigeria's kinetic visual culture, incorporating elements from truck decals, barbershop signage, and comic book heroics.
Two Decades of Artistic Journey
Speaking about his creative process, Ogunajo revealed that some works in the exhibition span a journey of approximately two decades, while others were completed as recently as a few months ago. He describes himself as an 'authentic voice' working without external influences.
One standout piece, Plummed Heart, perfectly captures the exhibition's essence. "It's a heart covered in feathers with wings," the artist described. "It speaks about love and empathy, the omnipresent nature of God, and what love is supposed to be."
An art graduate from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ogunajo has participated in numerous exhibitions both locally and internationally. The multimedia artist, who primarily works with acrylic on canvas, stated that all his creativity represents an expression of faith and his journey as a Christian.
In an era where identity and belief face increasing politicization, Ogunajo's paintings offer a transcendent vision: faith as lived experience, tradition as evolving dialogue, and art as a site of fearless testimony. This exhibition not only solidifies his position as a vital voice in African contemporary art but also redefines engagement with the sacred in public spaces.
