Work in Progress: Exploring Painting for the Gods with Ayọ̀ Akínwándé

Work in Progress: Exploring Painting for the Gods with Ayo Akinwande

Join us for a presentation of work in progress and a conversation on a new project by artist Ayọ̀ Akínwándé.

In May 2025, Ayọ̀ undertook a self-initiated residency in Òṣun and Ìjẹ̀bú Forests, Nigeria, conducting research and creating new work as part of his ongoing project, Painting for the Gods. This performative, site-specific body of work explores the intersections of Yorùbá spirituality, ritual knowledge, and environmental consciousness. The forests became a dynamic, living studio—spaces reclaimed as sacred through collaboration with Yorùbá priests, priestesses, elders, hunters, drummers, and ritual specialists.

In this event, Ayọ̀ will be in conversation with Artist and Professor Jerry Buhari, bringing together multiple perspectives from the artist, Priest Odunuga Olawale Robert and the production team. Priest Odunuga Olawale Robert will provide an introduction, offering context on Yorùbá traditions and the role of spirituality in the project, and cinematographer Wole Dada will share insights into documentation of the project, highlighting the collaborative effort behind the work. The event will include the screening of a short film, The Ritual, Created during the residency.

This online event is an opportunity to explore Ayọ̀'s artistic journey, creative practice, and the spiritual dimensions that inform Painting for the Gods and his wider body of work.

Ayọ̀ Akínwándé

Ayọ̀ Akínwándé is an artist, curator, thinker and writer. With an academic background in Architecture, his practice is multi-disciplinary, working across lens-based media, installation, sound, and performance. He explores power dynamics, the relationship between the “powerful” and the “powerless,” as it manifests in the multi-faceted layers of the human reality.

Akínwándé co-curated the inaugural Lagos Biennial, in 2017 and was also a participating artist at the exhibition held at the Nigerian Railway Museum. In 2018, he was a finalist for the ArtX Prize, and the ABSA L’Atelier Art Competition, with his work included in the exhibition at the ABSA Gallery. In 2019, he was awarded the Place Publique prize by the Fonderie Darling in Montreal, and presented solo exhibitions in Nigeria, Scotland, and Cuba for the 13th Bienal De La Habana. Akínwándé received the 2020 Edith-Russ-Haus Media Art award and presented a solo exhibition of his work was presented in the Oldenburg Pulverturm in September 2022. He is recipient of the 2021 Prince Claus Seed Awards.

Professor Jerry Buhari

Jerry Buhari is a Professor of fine art in Painting, drawing, design and contemporary art theory. He joined the teaching staff of the premier Fine art Department of Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Nigeria in the summer of 1982.

As an artist, Buhari has participated in 15 international exhibitions including solo exhibitions in Vermont and London, and over 60 group exhibitions in Nigeria. He has curated 16 major art exhibitions.

Buhari was a visiting lecturer and professor at University of Nigeria Nsukka, University of Jos, Nigeria, Kansas Wesleyan University Salina, Savannah College of Art and Design and Princeton University. He is advisor/consultant and Chairman/member of seven Boards/Foundations of art and cultural organisations.

Painting for the Gods is supported by Scottish Government through Creative Scotland / by National Lottery through Creative Scotland.

www.ayoakinwande.com