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I had always felt my life moved like a river, winding through unexpected paths. Born in a small village, I faced a steady current of responsibilities from an early age including helping my father to look after his cattle. As I grew older, life swept me to the city, where I struggled to find my place in the fast-paced current. There were moments when obstacles, like rocks in the riverbed, seemed to block my way. I started primary education late, struggled to complete my secondary school, and suffered early retirement. But I learned to navigate around them. Every bend brought new challenges, but also new perspectives, much like how a river carves its way through mountains, forming valleys and creating beauty from adversity. In my later years, I looked back at my journey and realised that like a river reaching the sea, I had flowed through every stage of life with resilience, never stagnant, always adapting. I embraced the calm of the present, understanding that ...

This painting is a self-reflective journey. It is a portrayal of myself as an old man, marked by gray hair and leaning on a walking stick.  Though created in the early stages of my artistic journey, it holds a profound significance. It is not just a depiction of age, but a milestone. It is a visual meditation on endurance, wisdom, and the quiet dignity of life lived with purpose. The abstraction reflects the internal rather than the literal. The figure is less about physical likeness and more about the emotional and spiritual truths that time reveals. Each brushstroke carries the weight of memory, of experience, and of reflection. It is a celebration of resilience and the silent strength that grows with age. As I painted this, I was not only acknowledging where I’ve come from but also affirming that the creative spirit knows no age. This work stands as a reminder that every stage of life has its own beauty, and that even as the body bends, the soul can still rise.

I struggle to find the words to capture the depth of loss I am feeling. With the passing of Chief Elebu, affectionately known to many of us simply as Mike, a part of Ogidi’s warmth and spirit has gone with him. I do not know of anyone else in Ogidi who could make me feel so wanted, so loved, and so genuinely welcomed. His presence was not just comforting, it was anchoring. My first close encounter with Mike’s extraordinary nature was in August 1982, and it has remained etched in my memory ever since. My wife Grace and I were at Ilorin train station, about to embark on a long journey to Kano. It was the first time I would be introducing my fiancée to my elder brother. We had bought second-class tickets and were waiting quietly when, out of nowhere, Mike appeared. Somehow, he had spotted us, rushed over, and without hesitation took our tickets. He marched straight to the booking office and returned with first-class replacements. That act of generosity turned our journey into ...

One of the most shamefully embarrassing afflictions plaguing Nigeria today is the widespread culture of medical tourism among the political elite. It has become almost routine to see current and former government officials, presidents, governors, and other top officeholders, jetting off abroad for medical treatment, often for ailments so minor they could be handled at any reasonably equipped and staffed health centre within the country. This troubling trend exposes a deep-rooted hypocrisy. These are the very individuals who, while in power, were entrusted with the resources and responsibility to develop our healthcare system. Instead of doing so, many presided over years of underfunding, neglect, or outright corruption that left our hospitals ill-equipped, our medical professionals underpaid, and our citizens at the mercy of inadequate care. Then, when illness inevitably strikes, they flee the consequences of their own failure, seeking refuge in the advanced health systems....

Medium: Acrylic  on Canvas Board Size: 16" x 20" Inspired by the Yoruba Proverb: “Adiyẹ baa l’okùn, ara ò ròkùn, ara ò r’adiyẹ," Harmony on the Line is a visual meditation on the Yoruba proverb that says, “A chicken is perching on a rope; neither the chicken nor the rope feels any pain.” This age-old wisdom speaks to a state of delicate balance, where two opposing forces coexist in quiet understanding, without tension or harm. At the heart of the canvas is a chicken perched on a taut rope, poised between contrasting landscapes. Its textured feathers and calm posture symbolise quiet resilience. The rope, stretched between green and golden ground, represents life’s fragile threads, strained, but never broken. Behind it, a chaotic mix of brushstrokes in the sky and trees reflect the world’s complexity, yet the central image remains serene. This painting explores themes of tolerance, silent strength, and the often-overlooked harmony that can exist in fragile...

This painting is inspired by a Yoruba proverb: “Tí ọmọ bá ń gé igi, baba a dúró kó wo ibi tí igi yóò wó.” “When a child is cutting a tree, the father stands by to see where it will fall.” Rich with metaphor, the work reflects the intergenerational balance between youthful action and elder wisdom. A child, full of determination, chops away at a towering tree, while an elder—likely the father—stands nearby, quietly watching, staff in hand. He does not interfere, but he is present. Set beneath a vivid blue sky and rooted in an earthy field, this moment captures a timeless lesson in leadership, mentorship, and the power of silent observation. It is a visual proverb, reminding us that guidance does not always mean intervention.

This painting is rooted in Ogidi-ela proverb, "Mor'ule, mor'ode. Idi awẹrẹ ki joko hi." This translates to " Those who see what is happening in the house and what is happening outside at the same time always sit behind the veil."   Painted with acrylic on 16" x 20" canvas board, it is a quiet tribute to our ancestral wisdom and those who observe without fanfare. At the centre, a serene figure cloaked in blue sits with a composed presence, embodying the veiled one. She's neither hidden nor absent, but deeply aware. On the left, through an open window, an interior scene suggests thought or learning, while to the right, village life unfolds. A child among goats, traditional dwellings, and textured greenery echoing a remembered past. The veil here is symbolic, not of concealment, but of clarity. It is the space of elders, of mothers, of watchful spirits who understand the full story by witnessing both sides. It is about awareness, ref...

Medium: Acrylic on Canvas Board Size: 16"x 20" Date: 2025 Artist:  Matthew Medupin This painting draws inspiration from the following Yoruba proverb; " Àgbà kì í wà l’ọjà, kó rī ọmọ tuntun wọ̀,”  This literally translates to "An elder cannot be in the marketplace while a child's head is turned awkwardly." This proverb emphasises the duty of elders to intervene when the young veer off course. In this work, I depict a child awkwardly twisted on the back of a woman, a symbol of societal care, while an elder figure watches. The distorted posture of the child reflects a world tilted by inexperience, misguidance, or neglect. The elder, calm yet present, embodies wisdom, responsibility, and the silent call to action. In Yoruba culture, the marketplace represents communal life, a place where everyone sees and is seen. The idea that an elder should not look away when a child is in distress is a call for moral leadership, especially in times when th...

This piece of abstract art, painted with acrylic on 18" x 24" stretched canvas, explores the resilience of life amidst precariousness. A lone tree clings to the edge of a cliff, its roots cascading downward like threads of survival, echoing the waterfall beside it. The tree, with its lush and protective canopy, seems to defy gravity, growing outward toward a deep blue sky. Its roots mirror the cascading waters, both representing forces of life, flow, and persistence. On the left, tall, flame-like trees rise upward, adding a vertical counterbalance and a sense of spiritual ascent, while the golden hillside and distant flora suggest abundance beyond the precipice. In creating this work, I was inspired by the idea that strength is not just in what is seen above ground, but in what lies beneath, the unseen, enduring connections that anchor us even in the face of falls.

This painting captures the fierce and majestic spirit of Ṣ ango , the revered Oriṣa of thunder, lightning, and justice in Yoruba mythology. With symbolic double axes raised high and feet firmly planted in a blaze of red flames, Ṣango stands as a figure of power, defiance, and divine authority. The swirling strokes and dynamic colour contrasts reflect the raw energy of storms and the Oriṣa’s commanding presence. His red and white regalia, colours sacred to his cult, symbolise both purification and the ferocity of elemental fire. The background, painted in turbulent textures, echoes the chaos and beauty of nature under Ṣango's command. Inspired by ancestral memory and spiritual symbolism, this piece pays homage not only to the deity himself but also to the enduring strength of Yoruba traditions and cosmology.

Medium: Acrylic on Canvas Size: 16" x 20" Date: 2024 Artist: Matthew Medupin "Pulse of Creation” explores the moment of emergence when energy, purpose, and motion converge to ignite life. At the heart of the painting is a segmented circle, each part representing dimensions of existence: the mechanical, the organic, the spiritual, and the unknown. From its red core, thread-like arrows radiate outward, representing life force extending beyond boundaries, reaching into possibility. The diagonal bands flowing from each corner toward the centre symbolise diverse forces of  time, elements, or lived experiences, all drawn into the pulse that sustains creation. The gear-like imagery embedded in one quadrant hints at the underlying systems that drive and support life, while the radiant tones of red, black, yellow, and white reflect stages of growth, action, and reflection. Spontaneously composed, the work captures the instinctual and intuitive rhythm of creativ...

Medium: Acrylic on Canvas Size: 16" x 24" Artist: Matthew Medupin "Balancing on the Edge of Worlds” explores the fragile dance between survival and transcendence, fear and freedom. At the heart of the composition is a silhouetted human figure teetering on a narrow, invisible threshold with one leg grounded on the brink of a cascading waterfall, the other raised behind in mid-motion, arms stretched out as though caught in the moment between flight and fall. The painting is divided into two distinct realms: above, a dome-like celestial body rendered in swirling, fiery earth tones and framed by a speckled starry night sky. This is suggestive of a churning universe, a metaphor for the weight of the world or the chaos of life. Below, a powerful waterfall plunges into a mysterious, unseen depth, its cascading multicoloured strokes evoking energy, emotion, and descent. The figure at the center is both bold and vulnerable. It symbolises the human s...

This abstract painting seeks to confront the brutalised state of democracy. At the heart of the composition, deep, blood-red tones bleed across the canvas. This is symbolic not just of violence, but of a rupture in national trust and civic dignity. Thread-like forms resembling  barbed chains entangle the frame, suggesting a system once free now bound by unseen but suffocating forces. Hints of ballot-like shapes seem to dissolve or drip which signify the corrosion of electoral integrity. The viewer is pulled into an emotional space, where hope is caught between resistance and suppression. This is not just a visual metaphor; it is a cry against political captivity, a tribute to silenced voices, and a stark reminder of the cost when democracy is betrayed.

Life in the boarding school was a completely foreign experience to me. My first visit to Ochaja had lasted only two days, just enough time to attend the admission interview. That brief encounter didn’t allow for much interaction with the existing students, though I did notice a few other candidates from my local government area who spoke the same dialect as I did. Still, that visit gave me no real glimpse into what life in boarding school was truly like. When I arrived for the school term, I was received by the House Master, who directed me to my dormitory and showed me my bed. It was a double-decker bunk, with mine being the top. I had barely settled in when the school bell rang. I didn’t know what it signified. A boy hurried past me, shouting something I couldn’t quite make out. The student on the opposite bed told me it was time to go to the stream. I remembered the stream from my earlier visit. It was about a 10-minute jog from the school and served as the primary pla...

Medium: Acrylic on Canvas Board Size: 20" x 16" Date: 2024 Artist: Matthew Medupin In “Sunset Cascade Beneath a Celestial Sky” , I explore the intersection of cosmic wonder and earthly force. The composition is split between a radiant sky, blushing in hues of red, orange, and violet with radiant celestial bodies, and a powerful cascade of deep blue, flowing water below. The boundary between the heavens and the earth dissolves into the suggestion of harmony and perpetual motion. The cascading water, textured with strokes of gold and white, evokes both the weight and beauty of nature’s elemental flow.  Meanwhile, the glowing sky above, scattered with stars and crowned by a radiant orb, captures a moment suspended between dusk and dream. This painting reflects my ongoing dialogue with themes of transition, unity, and cosmic order. It invites viewers to pause and consider the powerful, yet delicate, balance between the mysteries above and the forces below. It...

In this gripping abstract composition on a piece of A4 paper, the artist seeks to expose the haunting theatre of political manipulation. Against a backdrop of chaos, symbolising turmoil, violence, and urgency, there are faceless figures stretching their arms toward a central ballot box. Above them, shadowy silhouettes loom, connected by invisible threads like puppeteers over a staged democracy. "Ballots in Blood" challenges the viewer to confront the tragic irony of democratic rituals void of genuine power for the people. The cracked red earth beneath the figures evokes a fractured society, one where participation has become performative, and governance an elite spectacle detached from lived reality. The protest placard in the background hints at resistance, yet the silence of the figures speaks louder, an unsettling stillness in the face of systemic betrayal. This piece is a profound political, social, and ethical commentary on the weaponisation of poverty, th...

This acrylic painting, titled Resilient Threads , was created in 2023 on a 24" x 18" stretched canvas. It was inspired by the overwhelming presence of spiders in my garden during the height of summer. Their intricate webs adorned every corner, making it nearly impossible to walk without brushing against them. No matter how often I cleared the pathways, the spiders returned, tirelessly rebuilding what had been destroyed. Their quiet persistence struck a chord in me. It was more than nature at work; it was a lesson in resilience. The painting captures the layered strength of a spider’s web, radiating outward from a dark core, symbolising life’s challenges and the quiet power to rebuild. A favorite quote came to mind during its creation: “Within a spider's web, intricate artistry weaves tales of patience, strength, and the delicate balance of creation.” Indeed, the spider, often overlooked or feared, is one of nature’s finest teachers in perseverance. This ...

There are moments in the creative process where something unexpected, even spiritual, begins to take shape, not through deliberate design, but through surrender to the materials and the moment. "The Becoming of the Horse" is one such moment. This painting emerged from a technique known as paint pouring, where pigments are allowed to flow, merge, collide, and settle in unpredictable ways. It’s a process that reflects life itself, messy, beautiful, and often beyond control. As I watched the colours spread across the 20" x 16" canvas in green, indigo, yellow, crimson, and white, I began to see a form rising from the chaos. It wasn’t precise, yet it was undeniable: the spirit of a horse, caught mid-stride, perhaps mid-thought. But more than just an image of a horse, this work felt like an invitation,  an invitation to reflect on the nature of identity, transformation, and becoming. The Philosophy Behind the Image We often think of life in terms of desti...

“When the Rains Forgot to Fall” is a haunting visual narrative that explores the human cost of global warming through an African lens. Painted on a round canvas, symbolising the earth's continuity and shared responsibility—the composition immerses the viewer in a parched village landscape drenched in hues of burnt orange, red, and brown. At the centre, two villagers dressed in traditional attire traverse a scorched terrain, burdened with tools and a water vessel—evoking the struggle for survival in a land where rainfall has become scarce. A lone tree with fading foliage and a distant hut hint at the fragility of rural life, while the smoky sky overhead carries an ominous presence. Above them, a large solemn face ancestral looms in the sky, symbolising the watchful sorrow of those who came before, and perhaps the judgment of nature itself. The face also represents a plea: a silent cry for humanity to heed the warnings of a warming planet. This piece blends traditiona...

This minimalist composition painted on a 11.8" x 16.5" acrylic canvas seeks to capture the profound essence of solitude and serenity. Divided horizontally, the artwork presents a dense, textured green field occupying the lower half, contrasted by a soft, pale green sky above. Near the horizon, a single small tree stands quietly, evoking a sense of calm, reflection, and stillness. The vast openness around the solitary tree highlights the beauty of simplicity and the emotional power of space, inviting viewers to pause and contemplate the quiet strength found in isolation.

Medium: Acrylic on a piece of A4 paper  In this minimalist yet evocative abstract painting, warm hues of orange, gold, and amber melt into one another like waves of heat rising from the earth at dusk. At the heart of the composition floats a soft yellow orb, perhaps a sun or a celestial echo, casting a tranquil stillness over the canvas. The swirling textures suggest movement held in pause, inviting the viewer into a space where time slows and silence speaks. This work captures the essence of a sunset stripped to its emotional core, a quiet meditation on warmth, light, and presence.

This evocative painting captures a journey through a vast, shadowy landscape under a glowing, coppery-orange sky that hints at either dawn or dusk. A narrow, earthy path stretches from the foreground and winds toward a small, distant structure with a glowing yellow light—suggesting hope, sanctuary, or purpose. To the left, a mysterious, luminous yellow patch breaks through the darkness, possibly a field or a symbolic force of life and energy. The layered sky shifts from pale blue to warm ochre, creating a dreamy, surreal atmosphere. The overall composition invites viewers to reflect on life's journey—uncertain, winding, yet always leading toward some distant light of meaning. The contrast between the dark terrain and the soft, beckoning horizon evokes resilience, transition, and the enduring power of hope.

“Stillness Beyond Time” explores the profound silence of open space and the gentle power of solitude. Divided into two almost indistinguishable planes—sky and earth—this grayscale landscape invites the viewer to pause and reflect. The lone tree on the horizon symbolises persistence and presence, anchoring the vast, featureless environment in a whisper of life. The absence of colour emphasises emotional neutrality and timelessness, while the minimalist composition celebrates the beauty of the unspoken.

Medium: Acrylic on Canvas Board Size: 16" x 20" Artist: Matthew Medupin The Vanishing Canopy is a visual lament for the Earth’s disappearing forests — a layered, textural outcry against environmental degradation. The dense, shadowed lower half suggests a once-thriving forest floor now cloaked in darkness, while fading patches of green, bleeding reds, and bursts of yellow evoke the slow, painful unraveling of our natural ecosystems. Smoky grays drift upward like ash or pollution, blurring the boundary between earth and sky. And yet, within this chaos, flashes of colour persist — signs of life clinging on, reminders of nature’s resilience even in the face of devastation. This painting stands as both a warning and a tribute — where beauty and destruction collide. It urges the viewer to pause, reflect, and consider what is being lost… and what still might be saved.

Whispers of the Dune is the title of this artwork painted on a 20" x 16" canvas board. It seeks to capture the quiet, contemplative spirit of an expansive desert landscape. The composition is divided into three horizontal sections: a textured beige foreground that evokes the dry, sunlit sand of a wind-swept dune; a dark, broken mid-ground suggesting rocky outcrops or scrubland partially covered in light sand; and a vast, pale blue sky that dominates the upper half of the canvas, offering a sense of stillness and infinite space. The smooth gradient of the sky contrasts with the textured, almost sculptural surface of the sand, inviting the viewer to feel the silence, heat, and isolation of the scene. The horizon is slightly diagonal, creating a subtle tension and movement, as if the landscape itself is shifting under the weight of time. This minimalist yet evocative painting speaks of solitude, resilience, and the timeless dance between earth and sky.