Muyiwa’s Makoko memory holds at Quintessence
Since late February 2026, Makoko, a slum community in Ebute-Meta area of Lagos, continues to reel from fresh demolitions of stilt houses that began late last year, leaving thousands displaced
- By Ajibade Anuoluwa
Since late February 2026, Makoko, a slum community in Ebute-Meta area of Lagos, continues to reel from fresh demolitions of stilt houses that began late last year, leaving thousands displaced and many livelihoods in ruins. Expectedly, these demolitions did not go unnoticed by Nigerian artists and activists.
Lagos-based water-colour artist Sola Muyiwa responds with A few minutes After... a poignant series of 13 translucent water-colours. Rendered in his signature soft washes, muted lagoon blues, earthy browns and drifting light, the works capture the quiet human reality behind the headlines. These thought provoking pieces will be on show at Quintessence Gallery, Victoria Island, Lagos April 23rd, and proceeds from sales and prints will support Makoko reliefs efforts.
Advertisement
300x250
Read Also: FULL LIST: Import Duty cuts in Nigeria’s 2026 Fiscal Policy
From panoramic views of splintered wreckage stretching across the water to intimate scenes, families paddling through debris, women cooking on makeshifts platforms, children playing amid rubble, a fisherman with a torn net, prayer beside a salvaged cross; the paintings convey both profound loss and stubborn resilience.
These are not loud protest pieces but gentle memory pictures that will linger on the stillness after destruction and the enduring spirit of Makoko’s people.
A few minutes After... is a quiet, powerful call for empathy in a rapidly changing Lagos: what kind of future are we building and who remains part of it?
