A Few Minutes After evokes empathy at Quintessence
In the quiet aftermath of chaos, when the echoes of disruption begin to fade, life finds a way to continue. This was the central reflection penultimate Sunday as creators, collectors,
- By Glorious Idowu
In the quiet aftermath of chaos, when the echoes of disruption begin to fade, life finds a way to continue. This was the central reflection penultimate Sunday as creators, collectors, and dignitaries gathered at the Quintessence Gallery in Victoria Island, Lagos, for the public opening of A Few Minutes After, a contemplative art series by Sola Muyiwa.
The exhibition, rooted in the lived realities of Makoko, presents scenes that appear ordinary at first glance but carry the emotional weight of disruption, survival, and memory. Through fluid watercolour techniques, Muyiwa captures moments that exist between crisis and calm, what happens not during the noise, but shortly after it.
Speaking at the event, the artist, Sola Muyiwa, explained that the series was deeply personal, inspired by his firsthand experience of demolition and unrest in Makoko. “I went out to do my normal everyday work, and a few minutes after I returned, I experienced gunshots, tear gas, and interruption of the environment. When you look at the paintings deeply, it’s something you can take home, the experience expressed through the fluidity of watercolor,” he said.
Muyiwa noted that rather than depicting overt scenes of violence, his works lean into subtle storytelling, allowing viewers to feel the tension without explicit imagery. He added that the exhibition also serves as a form of documentation. “I’m using this medium to tell a story, to document the history of that particular place,” he said, while calling for greater attention to the realities faced by Makoko residents.
Curator Saheedat Lawal emphasised that the exhibition moves beyond hardship to highlight resilience and continuity. “We are focusing more on their strength and their hope,” she said, noting that ‘when things happen, life goes on. You wake up, you go to work, and even after demolition, the next day you are already out again trying to survive.’
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Lawal added that the muted tones in the artworks were intentionally chosen to reflect the quiet endurance of the community. “The colours show the calmness and the silent struggle of the Makoko residents… it’s about survival and resilience,” she said.
For visitors, the exhibition offered not just visual appeal but an emotional and social commentary. Art collector Dimeji Sonowo described the series as both moving and thought-provoking. “This series is deeply touching… it speaks about the deficit in social capital and the disconnect between leadership and citizens. When you speak with the artist, you connect with the paintings—and they live with you forever,” he said. Sonowo also praised the technical execution of the works, noting their depth and maturity. “It’s really impressive and thought-provoking… a lot of attention to detail is going on in it, and it’s taking the craft to the next level,” he added.
Amongst the guests were royal princes of Makoko. Speaking with our correspondents, Prince Taiwo Shemede commended the art exhibition and its depiction of the state of Makoko, Lagos and called it “The most beautiful” he has ever seen. He also mentioned that the United Nations had promised to preserve Makoko and in fact make it a tourist center and stand with the residents in the land dispute with the real estate agents and government.
