Fresh entrant, 'Mind of the Masters' goes continental with creative icons

Larry Segun-Lean and Dr Mudiare Onobrakpeya at the presentation of 'Mind of the Masters'...in Lagos.

By Yemi Olakitan

In an inspiring leap toward redefining the narrative of African artistic brilliance, a bold and imaginative project is set to celebrate the legacy of the continent’s master artists. Conceptualized by the visionary Larry Segun-Lean, the initiative—titled Mind of the Masters: Homage to African Icons—will traverse Africa over the next 24 months, engaging communities and reinvigorating pride in the continent’s creative heritage.

During a Press Conference held at the Freedom Park, Lagos Island, to unveil the project to the media, curator, Dr Mudiare Onobrakpeya, revealed that, ‘‘each exhibition will present 10 master works per artist offering audiences an extraordinary opportunity to engage directly with the heart and soul of the African creativity. From Cairo to Cape Town, Dakar to Addis Ababa, the series weaves together Africa’s most brilliant minds- uniting their stories in powerful rhythms of expression, resilience and reinvention.’’

Segun-Lean, the visioner of the Peep into the Masters’ Mind series, on his part said, ‘‘the project is about building bridges of friendships, of cultural understanding, and of sheer pride in the towering achievements of Africa’s master artists. By taking the exhibitions into the homeland of these legends, we celebrate their genius in the very soil that nurtured it and invite the continent to dream together,’’ 

The programme is designed to reinterpret and rewrite long-held perceptions about Africa's creative identity. With its 24-month travelling exhibition series, the project will bring together the works of 20 iconic master artists. The plan is to unveil the genius of these artists in pairs, hosting immersive exhibitions in their native or adopted countries—from Cairo to Cape Town, Dakar to Addis Ababa. Each exhibition cycle promises to present at least 10 masterworks per artist, offering art lovers an extraordinary opportunity to connect directly with the soul of African creativity.

Set to launch in the third quarter of 2025 in Lagos, Nigeria, the initiative will journey through various regions of Africa, moving from the bustling West Coast to the vibrant East and Southern regions. “At the core of this initiative lies a commitment to honour the intellectual depth, cultural grounding and visionary excellence that define the master artist—not only as a creator of beauty, but also as a voice of history, a shaper of identity, and a provocateur of thought,” explained Larry Segun-Lean during a recent engagement with Arts Writers in Lagos.

Beyond a mere exhibition, Mind of the Masters is envisioned as a movement—an open classroom and living archive that transcends geographical and cultural boundaries. “Every event we have in the next two years will be a unique opportunity to celebrate the genius embedded in the very soil that nurtured it,” Segun-Lean remarked. Accompanied by public dialogues, educational tours, and storytelling sessions, each two-week exhibition is set to offer a rich, multi-dimensional experience that deepens both local pride and global appreciation for African art.

A Journey of Legacy and Inspiration

This groundbreaking initiative not only honours the memory of Africa’s master artists but also acts as a beacon for future generations. By showcasing these figures as thinkers, philosophers, and nation-builders, the project aspires to reimagine how art can transform lives and societies. Segun-Lean emphasized that the travelling exhibitions aim “to hold the exhibition in every country we visit and invite admirers, collectors, critics, and enthusiasts alike,” ensuring a dynamic cross-pollination of ideas and cultural pride.

As Mind of the Masters unfolds across the continent, it is destined to become more than just an event—it will be remembered as a landmark record of 21st-century African creativity. By placing art back into the heart of its origin, the initiative restores dignity to the artistic process and celebrates the driving force behind Africa’s rich cultural narrative. In doing so, it challenges audiences everywhere to see master artists not only as purveyors of beauty but as custodians of a legacy that continues to inspire and reshape the continent’s future.