A major cultural event is taking place in Ibadan this December as acclaimed contemporary artist David Olatoye comes back to the city where his artistic journey began. His homecoming exhibition, titled "To Your Doorstep," is curated by Francis Ugbomeh, also known as Papi, and promises to be a significant moment for the local art scene.
A Symbolic Return to Artistic Roots
The exhibition is scheduled to run at the iconic New Culture Studio, a creative pavilion designed by the legendary artist-architect Demas Nwoko. This venue is a landmark of Nigerian modernism and has been a nurturing ground for many of the country's top artistic talents. Choosing this location is a deliberate nod to the exhibition's core theme of return and reconnection.
Olatoye is presenting works created between 2021 and 2025, many of which have never been shown to the public before. A significant number of these pieces were actually produced in Ibadan. While the artist has found success in Lagos and on international stages, this exhibition is not a debut but a reunion. It is an intimate homecoming to the environment that fundamentally shaped his creative vision and sensibilities.
Exploring Domesticity and Wearable Art
Olatoye's art is renowned for its thoughtful reimagining of home life. His paintings often depict carefully arranged interiors, tender moments between figures, and quiet scenes that pay tribute to the matriarchs and family influences from his upbringing. He primarily uses pen and acrylic on canvas, creating a distinct visual language marked by precise lines, vibrant colours, and smooth gradients.
Notably, several works feature Christmas trees, a detail that connects the art to the season of the exhibition—a time associated with homecoming, warmth, and shared memories. This choice perfectly aligns with the curator's focus on intimacy and belonging.
The exhibition also extends beyond the canvas into the world of fashion. Olatoye's signature pattern, inspired by the study of tribal marks, has been transformed into custom clothing through a collaboration with the fashion label AYINKÉ by Egbeyemi Aminat Oladayo. This partnership makes the artist's visual language wearable, allowing the audience to incorporate art into their daily lives.
Accessibility and Intimate Presentation
True to its title, "To Your Doorstep" emphasizes making art accessible. In collaboration with Gallery Fresco, a Lagos-based printmaking specialist, high-quality prints of selected works will be available. This initiative allows visitors to own a piece of the exhibition, reinforcing its inclusive spirit.
The presentation itself will adopt a salon-style format, prioritizing intimacy over a formal gallery spectacle. The artworks will be arranged in warm, conversational groupings that reflect the domestic themes they explore. This setup is designed to draw viewers into the emotional core of Olatoye's practice, which revolves around tenderness, memory, womanhood, and the essence of home.
Curator Francis Ugbomeh, who is also the Studio Supervisor to artist Victor Ehikhamenor and Programme Coordinator at Angels and Muse, described the project as a gesture of return and respect. He hinted that this Ibadan exhibition might just be the start, suggesting a vision to bring art closer to various communities, one city at a time.
"To Your Doorstep" opens in December 2025 at the New Culture Studio in Ibadan.
