A-ARTs: Thought Pyramid presents finalists for Next of Kin Series 8

Guest mentors Dr Adeola Balogun (left) and Olaoye David with Director at Thought Pyramid Art Centre, Ovie Omatsola during the unveiling of Next of Kin Series 8 artists in Lagos... recently. PIC: c/o Thought Pyramid.

AFTER what has been described as an intensive two-month global call for applications, Thought Pyramid Art Centre announced 20 finalists for the 2026 edition of its yearly art competition, Next of Kin (NOK) Series 8.

Few days ago, the Director and initiator of the NOK project, Ovie Omatsola explained at a Press Conference how the 20 finalists emerged. Speaking during the event at Thought Pyramid Art Centre, Ikoyi, Lagos, Omatsola said this year’s edition saw a surge in international interest. He noted that more entries came from London, South Africa, and Nigeria, along with applications from the African diaspora across the globe.

Omatsola announced 'Fragments of Being' as the theme for the Next of Kin Series 8, adding that the the focus challenges artists to explore the shifting nature of human existence. The theme reflects on how memories, culture, and time shape an identity that is never fixed but constantly in motion.

“So many things have been happening recently with people suddenly changing and taking up new characters,” explained Omatsola. “Many have forgotten who they are, so we thought to see how our visual artists can interpret that through research.”

From hundreds of entries, the 20 finalists have been selected to proceed to the exhibition stage. Among the finalists is one representative from South Africa. The finalists include Adetoro Debas, Ahmed Adeleke Sadiq, Chimzuroke Ogbuagu, Dumbor Kkemgbara Debeeh, Elijah Imisioluwa Adegbite, Emmanuel Cyril Ekong, Emmanuel Gbenga Eweje, Emmanuel Merit Adeyeye, and a South African artist, Gugulethu Brendan NdlalanI. Others include Hamed Qozeem Olamilekan, Ifeanyichukwu Joy Munachimso, Joseph Odeh Ogbole, Julius Ojomugbo Odah, Michael Oluwatomileyin Shrounke, Progress Jesutomiwa Giwa, Taiwo Taoheed Olawale, Theophilus Chinonso Agunwa, Tosin Paul Ajayi, and Zayyad Abdulkadr.

The 20 finalists will be competing for what Thought Pyramid tagged as "a Life-Changing Prize." The finalists will showcase their works in a grand exhibition at Thought Pyramid Art Centre, from Sunday April 5-May 8, 2026. At the exhibition opening, Overall Winner will be announced, receiving a Solo Art Exhibition Prize worth N6,000,000 (six million naira). The prize takes effect in 2027 as a career-defining opportunity to enter the professional art market with full institutional backing.

The Next of Kin Series 8 exhibition is proudly sponsored by Nigeria Machine Tools and Trustbanc. The two brands, which have been supporting NOK in the past continue their dedication to artistic excellence and cultural development in Africa.

During the press conference, Thought Pyramid displayed the quality of its goal with a mentorship sub-event. The event featured a high-impact Mentoring Moments session, reflecting the project's commitment to nurturing the next generation of African masters. The session was led by Dr Adeola Balogun, who spoke on 'The Art of Endurance: Sustainability of Career and Creative Vision,' and Olatoye David, who delivered a presentation titled 'The Art of Standing Out: Becoming A New Vanguard in The Global Art Stage.'

Some of the artists for Next of Kin Series 8 during the unveiling.

Debuted in 2018, Thought Pyramid Art Centre-organised Next of Kin is a yearly juried competition and exhibition designed to discover emerging artists possessing "artistic originality and creative disruptiveness." The project has a proven track record of launching global stars, including Forbes-listed artist Antonia Nneji, Ikechukwu Ezeigwe, Christian Allison, and recent winners such as Idowu Emmanuel and Olalekan Adeyemi Julius.

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