03 Apr Modern Masters You May Not Have Heard Of: Justus Akeredolu
Justus Akeredolu (1915–1984) carved a quiet but powerful legacy in Nigerian art, bridging both the pre- and post-independence eras. In his hometown of Owo, a simple search for materials led him to experiment with the thorns of the silk-cotton tree, transforming them into intricate carvings. What began as a practical solution soon became his signature
19 Mar How Professional Framing Shapes the Viewers’ Experience
Ever wonder why some art looks like a masterpiece before you even read the caption? Professional framing acts as a silent “vibe check,” creating a clear boundary between the busy world and the artist’s vision. It is a visual editor that tells your brain exactly where to focus, setting the mood for the entire viewing
26 Feb Bruce Onobrakpeya – Have You Heard II, 2010
Have You Heard (first conceived in 1970 and revisited in 2010) is a poignant reflection on the aftermath of the Nigerian Civil War. Created in the immediate shadow of war, the work shifts the focus away from the battlefield and toward its human margins. Three women gather in animated conversation, their interaction giving the piece
13 Feb What was “modern” in the 1970s?
In ‘Modern Man’, created in the seventies, Oyelami presents a young man in a tie, serious, composed, slightly officious. He stands as the embodiment of the emerging Nigerian corporate class: educated, ambitious, ready to stand shoulder to shoulder with professionals anywhere in the world. It’s not just a portrait, it’s a quiet, almost humorous observation
09 Feb Maxwell Boadi: A Return to Colour, Movement, and Voice
Maxwell Boadi’s new works feel like a homecoming. After a period marked by restraint, quiet surfaces, flattened spaces, and deliberate stillness, Boadi returns to the canvas with renewed energy and conviction. Colour surges back into his practice. Movement re-emerges. Layers build upon layers, reasserting the physical pleasure of paint and the emotional force of gesture.
28 Jan A story told. A legend preserved. An artwork born.
In 1942, in Agbarha-Otor, a master storyteller named Aminogbe sat before a circle of children and performed the epic tale of Eraguamire, the brave warrior and his seven magical dogs on a perilous hunt for the fearsome monster, Kalumudo. His performance was electric. Dancing, prancing, embodying every clash and triumph, Aminogbe drew the children so
23 Jan B’anu: Beauty and Nostalgia
For many artists, their most enduring works are born from people they love or admire. B’anu, the elegant bronze sculpture by Abayomi Barber, is one such work, intimate, reflective, and rooted in affection. In the 1960s, Barber was living in the United Kingdom, based in London, while his friend B’anu had settled in Manchester. During
16 Jan “The Queen Is a Dictator” — Duke Asidere
Much of Duke Asidere’s practice is rooted in an enduring exploration of feminine strength, shaped by the presence of a formidable mother who instilled in him a deep respect for the power of womanhood. This influence recurs throughout his work, and The Queen Is a Dictator stands as a distilled expression of that theme. Here,
19 Dec “Letter Z”, Muraina Oyelami
Letter Z (1967) is Muraina Oyelami’s interpretation of the biblical story of Jonah, rendered through the symbolic language and intuitive abstraction that defined the early Osogbo movement. At the centre of the composition lies a pale, elongated body — Jonah himself, stretched across a table-like surface. Hovering above and looking on is another figure, also
08 Dec When We Were Young — and Free
In the early 1990s, Alex Nwokolo created a series of breezy sailboat paintings that felt like postcards from a gentler Lagos. Tiny boats drifted across calm waters under bright, sun-washed skies. The works were celebrations of easy living — enjoyment, leisure, a carefree rhythm that defined a beautiful, uncomplicated time. They were joyful canvases filled
06 Nov On display at the gallery – Ablade Glover & Duke Asidere N0v 4 – 12, 2025
This presentation brings together two master colourists of African modern and contemporary art — Ablade Glover of Ghana and Duke Asidere of Nigeria — in an exploration of how colour becomes a language of emotion, intellect, and spirit. Both artists, though separated by geography and generation, have forged visual vocabularies that pulse with energy, texture,
15 Oct Free Artwork Valuation Week at Hourglass Gallery
Ever wondered if that old artwork hanging in your home might be a hidden masterpiece? You just might be right! From Monday, 20th to Wednesday, 29th October, Hourglass Gallery is offering free artwork valuations for select pieces. To participate: Send us a clear image of your artwork, along with details such as artist (if known),
01 Oct A tribute to Osogbo
Tribute to Osogbo is our ‘On Display’ presentation from the 1st to the 8th of October — a focused display featuring artworks by the pioneering artists of the Osogbo School, shown in our Upper Room for one week only. Our ‘On Display’ series offers occasional, curated presentations drawn from the Hourglass collection — intimate showings
19 Sep Home is where the heart is
Home, as the saying goes, is where the heart is. This oil onboard painting by Jimoh Akolo pays homage to Samaru Village, the site of Ahmadu Bello University’s main campus, where the artist studied in the late 1950s. For Akolo, Samaru was more than a setting — it was a place of inspiration and belonging.
19 Sep Rainbows and Lotteries
Eghrighri II by Bruce Onobrakpeya delves into the Urhobo myth of the rainbow, a tale layered with promise and peril. According to the story, anyone who could cut into a rainbow might uncover wealth and good fortune, but also risk unleashing misfortune, disease, and pestilence. This duality mirrors the ambiguity of life itself. In this
08 Aug Visions of Love in Bloom
Though their approaches to art differ, Kenyan artist Peter Elungat and Ghanaian artist Maxwell Boadi share a poetic fascination with love, beauty, and human connection. Elungat’s paintings are operatic in scale and emotion — dreamscapes where women appear as ethereal, heavenly figures. Often an amalgam of muses, they inhabit a whimsical space between reality and
09 Jul Bruce Onobrakpeya, Erukperu, 1981
Bruce Onobrakpeya’s artwork, Erukperu, explores themes of protest, bravery, and societal self-regulation. The artwork captures the extreme form of communal protest Urhobo tradition in which elders, both men and women, march naked through the streets toward the market square. This public display serves as a profound expression of collective distress and indignation in response to
18 Jun The Living Mask: Kolade Oshinowo’s Celebration of Heritage
Somewhere in the East, West, North, or South of Nigeria, a century ago, a crowd would gather. The masquerade would step into the centre, its flamboyant, coloured mask vibrant and vital. The crowd would cheer—perhaps with a hint of fear. After all, this might be the dead come to life. The spirits summoned through these
03 Jun ON Display: Segun Adejumo
We’re pleased to present a selection of works by Segun Adejumo as part of our ON Display series—a rotating showcase in one of our upper rooms that highlights individual artists or groups. On view from 5th to 12th June, this short-run presentation features a compelling mix of Adejumo’s charcoal figure studies and oil paintings. A
25 Apr Gani Odutokun – On Display
As part of our ‘On Display’ series, we’re putting up a display of early drawings and paintings by Gani Odutokun in our upper room from tomorrow, April 26th to May 5th. If you’re around, we’d love for you to stop by and take a look.