By: Manoah Kikekon
(Lagos, Nigeria) – Francis Agemo a Badagry-based artist is proud to present "OMEMITONLEE: An Artistic Reflection on the Cycle of Life and Legacy," a powerful solo exhibition which will hold at Alexis Galleries, in Lagos.
Opening on October 18 and running through October 30, this significant showcase features a compelling collection of wood panel artworks and sculptures that invite viewers to contemplate ancestry, community, and the enduring marks left by those who came before us.
For Agemo, this exhibition marks a pivotal moment in his career. “This will be my major solo here in Lagos. I'm happy to show my works because I'm a painter from beginning,” the artist shared. His journey into woodwork began in 2017, guided by Patty Chidiac, the founder of Alexis Galleries. “She said, ‘You can actually do wood, like how you have been painting. You can merge painting with wood.’ So, she added me to the artists then in residency that are doing wood panels. And so since then I've been working with them.”
The exhibition’s title, "OMEMITONLEE," is a profound concept expressing the interconnectedness of descendants and ancestors. Agemo explained that the exhibition explores “how they guide, build or bind the community together.” This theme is brought to life through a diverse body of work, including large sculptures, totems, wood panels, and paintings, all of which he has been dedicated to creating since February.
A central piece of the collection is the sculptural work “Mi Nape To Olin,” which serves as a meditation on the fleeting nature of life and the ties that shape our legacies. Agemo describes it as a “personal homage to departed loved ones and a quiet pondering on the continuity of connection.”
The artist’s spiritual beliefs deeply inform his work. When asked about the influence of ancestors, Agemo offered, “I believe there is life after death... It all depends on how you are connected with the spirits of your ancestors. My grandparents led me to know that we always have things that we call upon, and have conversation with, and at the same time, they answer to our prayers.”
Having exhibited internationally, Agemo also highlighted a crucial difference in art appreciation. “Abroad, they patronise living artists. In Nigeria, people most time focus on legendary and non-living artists... But that's not growth. There's need for other people to come out,” he noted, emphasizing the importance of supporting contemporary, living artists within the local art scene.
Curated by Uche Obasi of Alexis Galleries, "OMEMITONLEE" promises an intimate journey through Egun cosmology and Badagry heritage. The artworks are deeply symbolic, featuring motifs of totems, masks, and ancestral figures carved and painted on reclaimed wood sourced from the forests of Ogun State.
Ultimately, Agemo hopes his exhibition will inspire visitors to reflect on their own lives and legacies. “For this show, I actually want people to come and experience love, a continuity of life and a legacy... we have to make a statement, so that when we leave, people will always remember us. That's what this show is talking about.”
Art enthusiasts and the community are highly encouraged to attend this poignant exploration of life, memory, and legacy by one of Nigeria's significant interdisciplinary artists at Alexis Galleries from October 18 to October 30.