Nike Art Gallery located on Oba Elegushi Road off Lekki-Epe Expressway, Lagos, is owned by Nigeria’s renowned and foremost lady artist, Chief Nike Okundaye, who is famed for her artistic prowess, ranging from print, paintings, sculpture to textile (adire or batik).
She is one of the few Nigerian artists that has popularised the adire or batik art as she has succeeded in elevating it from its localised stage to national and international flavour. She wears and glows in it as it has become her fashion style and statement as hardly would you see her without it and her famously larger than life hair gear and all beaded that has become her fashion signature.
In the same manner, she has succeeded in creating this culture by establishing an art gallery, known as Nike Art Gallery in Lagos and of course Osogbo, which is her ancestral home and the foundation for her engagement with the art.
The art gallery is of an international standard, beating any other around the country. It is not just only an art gallery but a showpiece of some sorts, which over the years has become a must see facility for both residents and visitors because of its dedication to the promotion of Nigeria’s authentic art tradition and culture, ranging from the traditional art to contemporary art of various creative ferments and impulses.
The gallery, which is a large white edifice, boasting five floors, is a fascinating and alluring structure to behold. Getting off the ever busy Lekki-Expressway and you make a detour to Oba Elegushi Road, you are welcomed by the imposing white structure exuding serenity and calmness. From the exterior, begins the excursion into the world of Nigeria’s art, as the fenced wall bears amazing art pieces of various sizes just in the same way as the wall of the building is etched with different symbolic art pieces.
Most times the matriarchy of this enchanting edifice and enthralling art gallery makes it a point of duty to welcome visitors to the home and give a memorable tour of the facility just as it was on this day of visit last year in the company of members of the Nigeria Association of Tour Operators (NATOP), who hosted visiting trade partners from South Africa to a city tour, with Nike Art Gallery, as one of the attractions of the day.
The team was welcomed by a cultural troupe, with Okundaye at the head. Not slowed down by age, she displayed her agility as she swayed to the sound of the music and shouting above the din ekaabo (welcome) to the team as they alighted from the bus and joined the dancing troupe, which ushered them into the gallery where again the entertainment continued and a tour of the facility.
Besides displaying her works, the gallery is host to a number of works by different artists from across the country and holds regular exhibitions. She also offers demonstrations on print and textile making to visitors particularly students and children as workshops and seminars are held here as well as summer courses on the bill.
Cultural and musical shows are regular features at the gallery as visitors are introduced to Nigeria’s different attires and music and are actually dressed in some of them for photo shots. Arts and crafts of different sizes are also on display and sold while the book culture is supreme here, with different books and magazines, especially on art and cultural entertainment, on display and sales.
Just when you thought that you have had enough of the gallery, you are not only introduced to savoury Nigerian delicacies, particularly local snacks such as cake beans, fried yam and dodo as well as flour meal. Of course, palm wine to wash down the meal.
A cafe now operates at the gallery, so you are guaranteed the benefit of any full course meal of choice.
It also serves as event venue, especially for private parties, seminars, lectures and workshops. This is one gallery that you can never have enough of as its quivers are full of many surprises.
Mama Okundaye, you never can have a dull moment at the gallery as she is quick witted and creatively imaginative and such an interesting character, very versatile and a story teller, all combined with her effervescent artistic impulses.
The gallery opens on both weekdays and weekends. You will be delighted and fascinated by the treats that await you on visit but put some money aside for purchase of some crafts just in case you are not an art collector because you would be totally overwhelmed by the various offerings that you cannot avoid the temptation not to own a piece of the craft and other gift items on sale.
Picture Credit: Come To Nigeria
