Oluchi Chibuzor
CraftVantage is set to host its 2026 Graduate Exhibition titled ‘Bold Stories, Sustainable Futures’, bringing together a new generation of emerging Nigerian artists whose works explore themes of identity, resilience, culture, memory, movement and everyday life.
The exhibition, scheduled to hold from May 26 to 28 at Wings Office Complex, Victoria Island, Lagos, will feature works spanning painting, sculpture, installation and mixed media.
According to the organisers, the exhibition reflects CraftVantage’s commitment to supporting young artists through mentorship, visibility, sustainable artistic practice and long-term creative development.
Among the featured artists is Utubor Shadrach Melvin, whose expressive figurative paintings capture human emotion, movement and spiritual undertones of everyday Nigerian life using oil on canvas.
Also exhibiting is Oloruntobi Bolaji Esther, whose sculptures and mixed media works examine womanhood, resilience, nature and economic realities through the use of resin, metal, wood and recycled materials.
Afolabi Samuel’s works document everyday Nigerian experiences, urban life and Yoruba heritage through bold colours and expressive compositions, while Nasir Adamu’s acrylic paintings draw from personal experiences and cultural identity to create emotionally reflective works.
Other participating artists include Izuka Joy Chidinma, whose sculptures, installations and paintings explore hope, healing and cultural heritage using materials such as fiberglass, wood, clay and metal; and Johnson Oyekale Oluwatobi, whose mixed media paintings examine African identity and psychological experiences through layered textures and expressive forms.
Fasinu Ololade Prudence will present landscape paintings inspired by everyday Nigerian environments, while Obajuluwa Timothy Segun’s impasto paintings celebrate nature, markets, flowers, urban life and aquatic scenes through textured layers and vibrant colours.
Curator of the exhibition, Dr. Bolaji Ogunwo, described the artists as individuals deeply committed not only to technical excellence but also to storytelling, emotional expression and social consciousness.
Founder of CraftVantage, Oluwayemisi “Misi” Ogunbodede, said the initiative was established to provide structure, visibility and long-term opportunities for talented young creatives.
“CraftVantage was created from a simple but important belief: exceptional talent deserves more than admiration. It deserves structure, visibility, opportunity and long-term support,” she said.
She added that the exhibition was part of efforts to build sustainable pathways for emerging artists within Nigeria’s creative ecosystem.
The exhibition is expected to spotlight a new generation of artists shaping conversations around creativity, sustainability, identity and contemporary African culture.
