A New Home for Heritage: ADEGBOLA Gallery Launches in Lagos with Landmark Exhibition Heroes Past
- Art Report Africa
- Oct 8
- 2 min read
The Nigerian art landscape welcomed a major new institution with the launch of ADEGBOLA Gallery in Victoria Island, Lagos. Founded by lawyer and cultural entrepreneur Kayode Adegbola, the gallery officially opened its doors on October 1, 2025, Nigeria's Independence Day. The space has been established with the ambition of creating a new home for serious curatorial work that is deeply anchored in local context while maintaining global relevance.
The gallery's debut was marked by the inaugural exhibition, Heroes Past, which is currently on view. Conceived as a travelling institutional show, Heroes Past is a powerful, timely reflection on leadership, identity, and memory, honouring Nigeria's pre- and post-independence leaders. The exhibition features a compelling combination of rarely seen paintings, sculptures, photographs, and archival paraphernalia. Works by Nigerian Masters, including Akinola Lasekan, Uche Okeke, Ben Enwonwu, Oyerinde Olotu, Rufus Ogundele, Lady Head, and Doreen Kern, are featured, offering a meditation on how art has shaped national narratives across generations.
Adegbola, who brings over 15 years of experience building infrastructure for Nigerian artists through his platform, Adegbola Art Projects, noted that the opening was spurred by the concurrent maturation of artists, collectors, and audiences. The founder explained that the gallery was created to "respond to the moment by elevating critical dialogue, finding and showcasing exceptional work, and building lasting value around our culture".
Importance to the Nigerian Art Market: Focus on Infrastructure
ADEGBOLA Gallery’s significance to the Nigerian art market lies in its stated commitment to systemic development over simple sales, a philosophy that sets it apart from many commercial spaces. The founder articulated this differentiating mission:
"We are building a gallery that operates with international standards but is deeply anchored in local relevance. What sets us apart is our long view—we see the gallery not only as a commercial space, but as a civic actor. From public art and publishing to artist development, our focus is on infrastructure, not just inventory."
This approach firmly positions ADEGBOLA Gallery as a vital player in the Nigerian art ecosystem. The gallery's commitment to a curatorial approach grounded in reflection, experimentation, and long-term artist development—which includes investing in artists and commissioning new work—aims to do more than just present art; it seeks to "shift the terms on which it is seen, discussed, and valued".
The Heroes Past exhibition itself embodies this mission, providing historical relevance and educational value that encourages audiences to learn about Nigeria's formation. The gallery has already announced a dynamic public programme, including an exhibition at Art X Lagos in November, signalling its immediate role in shaping the country's cultural conversation.
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