Yinka Olatunbosun
Art enthusiasts flocked to the Yusuf Grillo Museum in Ikeja, Lagos on Saturday August 23 to commemorate the late artist’s legacy with the 4th edition of a tribute exhibition, held on the second anniversary of his passing. Grillo, who passed away on August 23, 2021, at the age of 86, was a renowned Nigerian contemporary painter, muralist, and sculptor, widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s most outstanding academically trained painters. As a founding President of the Society of Nigerian Artists (SNA), Grillo also served as Head of the Department of Art and Printing at Yaba College of Technology, where he taught for over 25 years. The exhibition drew throngs of visitors and artists paying tribute to the artist’s enduring legacy.
This exhibition, titled Lineage of Masters, brings together 13 art masters who were largely influenced by Grillo’s artistic philosophy and studio practice. Among the featured artists are Olusegun Adejumo, who celebrates the beauty and elegance of women through vibrant brush strokes; Kunle Adeyemi, who incorporates native motifs into his printmaking; Ato Arinze, who creates minimalist sculptures in fired clay; and Duke Asidere, who showcases stylised figurative captures in painting. There is also Adeola Balogun, who showcases his technical skill with metalwork in his striking busts and Samuel Ebohon, who delights with his intricate drawings. Then, Lara Ige-Jacks presents streetscapes that reflect Grillo’s influence, and Nigerian-Irish artist Ben Nwosa engages the audience with his minimalist abstract paintings. Also, Edosa Ogiugo features impressionist textures in figurative forms, and Lekan Onabanjo’s watercolour paintings evoke the senses. Finally, Odun Orimolade unleashes vibrant colours in her fantastical paintings, Sam Ovraiti reinterprets old masterpieces to offer fresh perspectives, and Kehinde Sanwo’s visual celebrations of architectural history shine through his pieces. The exhibition showcases the diverse range of artistic styles and influences that Grillo’s legacy has inspired.
The exhibition provides a unique opportunity for art enthusiasts and researchers to appreciate Grillo’s influence on contemporary Nigerian art. By exploring the works of these artists, visitors can gain a deeper understanding of Grillo’s artistic philosophy and how it continues to shape the art world.
Grillo’s daughter and Executive Director of Grillo Art Limited, Morayo Anthonio, emphasised the need for the show in a brief conversation during the exhibition’s opening on Saturday, August 23. In her view, the show preserves Grillo’s legacy and extends the cross-generational appeal of his philosophy. “Like I said before he died, we took him for granted,” she said. “We – his family members – didn’t really know how much of him he gave out to the art community. It is after he had gone that we were marveling and we didn’t know that when he was alive.
“He was a very private person. Not one to blow his own trumpet. Everywhere we go and we drop his name, there is so much respect.”
Aside from the exhibition, the gallery is open to the public on a daily basis with a resource centre for art scholars and researchers to access books and other publications on art. This commitment to art education and research is echoed in the sentiments of Dr. Adeola Balogun, a former Head of Department of Fine Art at the Yaba College of Technology, who reflects on the valuable lessons he learned from Grillo as his mentor. “He was already retired by the time I gained admission to the Yabatech. I never met him as a teacher. I met him through his students who taught me. I had the opportunity to visit him and through that, I would say that I was taught by him but not in the classroom.”
Kehinde Sanwo, an exhibiting artist and a curator of the not-for-sale art exhibition explained why the works on display are not for sale at the show. “We took that stance to pay tribute to him so as not to make money off his name. It’s also an opportunity for the 13 art masters to showcase some of the works they have in their archives.”
For him, Grillo was an outstanding art educator for his integrity, dedication to the practice and personal interest in his students.
The Nigerian-Irish artist, Ben Nwosa expressed his delight at being part of a show and emphasised the need for being consistent in art practice. “As a protegée of Yusuf Grillo, I feel very honoured to be part of this show,” he said. “The principles taught by Grillo still remain with us and have been a part of our collective journey as artists.”
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