By Ola Alowoloke
KOLADE Oshinowo, Elder Jerome Ikponmwoghodua Elaiho, and Chief (Mrs.) Nike Davies-Okundaye were celebrated during the 2025 October Rain exhibition.
Themed Living Legends, the 2025 edition of the yearly art exhibition, organised by the Society of Nigerian Artists (SNA), Lagos State Chapter, opened at Iwalewa Gallery, Lekki, Phase 1; Quintessence Art Gallery, Ikoyi; and Gemini Art Gallery, Obalende. The exhibitions are still on display till December 2025 across all the galleries.
The yearly October Rain exhibition has for decades stood as one of Nigeria’s most enduring and influential art showcases. It is not merely an exhibition but a space where creativity, history, and identity intersect, and where the collective voice of Nigeria’s artists continues to shape the nation’s cultural narrative.
In a Foreword of the exhibition, Chairman of SNA, Lagos Kolawole K. Olojo-Kosoko, noted the that 2025 edition of October Rain was very significant. "This year’s celebration is deeply significant, for it brings to the fore the lives and legacies of three of our most revered members, Dr. Kolade Oshinowo, Elder Jerome Ikponmwoghodua Elaiho, and Chief (Mrs.) Nike Davies-Okundaye, alongside three distinguished patrons of the arts in Lagos," Olojo-Kososko wrote. "Collectively, they represent the pillars of Nigeria’s creative heritage, whose works, sacrifices, and vision have shaped the very foundation of our artistic identity."
Olojo-Kosoko who is of Department of Art and Industrial Design, Lagos State University of Science and Technology, Ikorodu, noted that each of the legends embodies an extraordinary journey. He stated: "Dr. Kolade Oshinowo, fondly known as the 'Teacher of Teachers" and 'Master of the Masters', has dedicated his career to painting and pedagogy. His mastery of colour, form, and social commentary has placed him at the centre of Nigeria’s contemporary art history. His legacy extends beyond the canvas to the countless artists he nurtured as a lecturer at Yaba College of Technology, many of whom now form the backbone of our thriving art ecosystem. His generosity of spirit and devotion to cultural identity inspire the theme MINDSCAPES, chosen for his celebration at Iwalewa Gallery, Lekki Phase I.
"Elder Jerome Ikponmwoghodua Elaiho, born in 1941, stands as a pioneer whose contributions cut across visual art, graphic design, advertising, and media. His story is that of resilience and innovation, bridging tradition and modernity while embracing new technologies across decades. As founder of Jerome Elaiho and Associates and as a lifelong mentor within the Society of Nigerian Artists, his work continues to exemplify the enduring value of versatility and mentorship. To honour his openness to change and his embrace of technology in the creative process, the theme 'Techgritude' has been chosen for his celebration at Quintessence Gallery, Ikoyi
"Chief (Mrs.) Nike Davies-Okundaye, popularly known as “Mama Nike”, is a living embodiment of cultural preservation and global artistic influence. Through her mastery of textile art and her establishment of the Nike Art Galleries and the Nike Centre for Art and Culture, she has empowered thousands of young Nigerians, especially women, while bringing indigenous traditions such as Adire to international prominence. Her life’s work is a shining testament to creativity, hospitality, and philanthropy."
Among other participating artists is Akinsoji Oni, a scholar-artist whose creative and academic works explore the dialogue between art, spirituality, and social transformation. His exhibited piece, titled “Lonely Destination,” rendered in acrylic on paper, captures the quiet solitude of a solitary journey. A lone female figure carrying an umbrella walks toward a distant horizon, surrounded by empty space and muted tones. The work evokes themes of vulnerability and perseverance, portraying isolation not as defeat but as quiet strength and inner resolve. Oni describes the piece as “a reflection on the human condition, the courage to keep moving when the world grows silent.”
In addition to his visual contribution, Oni is also featured in the exhibition catalogue with a compelling essay titled “Cloth of Survival: Art as Life for Mama Nike.” The piece pays tribute to Chief Nike Davies-Okundaye, tracing her journey from adversity to global prominence. Oni situates her artistic evolution within the broader discourse of women’s empowerment, cultural resistance, and economic survival. He argues that Mama Nike’s story demonstrates how art can transcend aesthetics to become both a means of livelihood and liberation — a “fabric of resistance” woven against poverty, patriarchy, and cultural erasure.
Through both his artwork and his writing, Oni bridges artistic practice and critical thought, embodying the spirit of this year’s October Rain, a celebration not only of mastery and legacy, but also of the continuing dialogue between tradition and transformation.
As the exhibition opened at selected venues on different dates, a theme of Echoes of Excellence was chosen for the at Gemini Art Gallery opening. "This year’s October Rain will be uniquely staged across three galleries between October 4th and December 2025, opening on different dates to the general public," Olojo-Kosoko stated. "The spread across these spaces reflects the expansive legacies of the honourees, artists whose influence cannot be contained within a single room, but who belong to the nation and the world at large."
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