Art x Adẹ

Walking Back Across The Bridge To The Past – We Need To Do So.                       by High Chief Alphonsus Abiǫdun Ehindero  High Chief Alphonsus Abiǫdun Ehindero  A good brother once told me that we cannot build a bridge to the past because a bridge to the past leads to nowhere. I humbly disagree with his view since I know that visiting the past provides the flashlight to see the present and probably the future more clearly. It does not mean going across to haul the garbage of the past and dump such in our today. A bridge to the past even in personal, tribal or national and international relationships that went sour, in most cases, lead to better understanding, respect and true friendship both in the present and in the future. It leads adversaries to identify what should not have been done at all; what could have been done better. It leads to searching and excavating the past which lies across the bridg...

In business, we call it risk. In Christianity, we call it faith. Yet both ask the same thing of us: to move forward without seeing the full picture. Risk is guided by knowledge of the market, experience, and calculation. Faith is guided by knowledge of God, trust, and conviction. One studies patterns. The other trusts promises. But in both, nothing happens until you take a step. At this stage of life, I have come to realise: whether in business or in faith, progress begins where certainty ends. So today, take that step, not because you see everything clearly, but because you know enough to move forward. #EverydayWisdom #FaithAndAction #TakeTheStep #WisdomForLife #LiveWithPurpose

Painted from a photograph taken during a recent memorable family cruise, this work transcends the literal depiction of a European port and instead captures the emotional intensity of arrival.  The composition unfolds as a layered impression of sea, structure, and shoreline, where water becomes both a pathway and a threshold between movement and stillness. Rather than presenting a fixed image, the artist embraces fragmentation and texture to reflect the fleeting nature of travel with glimpses from a ship’s deck, shifting perspectives, and the quiet excitement of entering unfamiliar territory. The dense harbour forms rise almost abstractly from the water, suggesting industry and human presence without confinement to detail, while scattered accents of colour punctuate the canvas like moments of memory. At its core, the painting speaks to journey; of distance travelled, of shared experience, and of the subtle transformation that comes with witnessing the world from new ho...

One of the highlights of my upcoming 6th solo art exhibition is the unveiling of my most ambitious piece yet — a striking large-scale work on linen, created by stitching together over 35 individual paintings. Each piece tells its own story, and together they form a powerful reflection on life’s journey, its fragments, and its unity. If you enjoy art, colour, and thoughtful storytelling, I’d love for you to come and experience it in person. 📍 Venue: The Small Upper Church Hall St William of York Roman Catholic Church 4 Brockley Park Forest Hill, London SE23 1PS 📅 Date: Saturday, 9 May 2026 ⏰ Time: 12:00 noon – 5:00 pm Come along, bring a friend or neighbour, and immerse yourself in a world of colour and meaning.

This work began as a simple exploration of stillness, but gradually revealed a landscape shaped by instinct and memory. Set within a circular frame, the composition draws the viewer into a quiet horizon where light fades gently into dusk.  The waterfall introduces movement, contrasting with the calm of the sky, suggesting the continuous flow of time within moments of rest. The scene is not tied to a specific place, but rather to a feeling, one that exists between memory and imagination. The trees stand as silent witnesses, while the fading light reflects the quiet transitions we often overlook.  In this piece, I allowed the painting to guide its own direction, responding to each stage without a fixed plan, trusting the process to reveal its own meaning. #AbstractLandscape  #ContemporaryArt  #SunsetArt  #ArtFromTheSoul  #EmergingArtist

In the summer of 2021, I made my first, and so far only, attempt at painting live objects using oil paint. What you see here is a simple composition: a pineapple, a watermelon, a banana, an apple,. But behind this simplicity lies an experience that tested my patience in ways I had never encountered before. Oil paint does not rush for anyone. It demanded that I slow down, layer carefully, and then wait… and wait. It took nearly a month for this piece to fully dry. For someone whose style is driven by spontaneity and instinct, that waiting felt almost unnatural. Then there was the mess, the brushes, the mixing, the clean-up. It required a level of discipline and process that stood in sharp contrast to the freedom I often feel when painting. And yet, looking back, I realise this painting taught me something valuable. It reminded me that not all creativity is immediate. Some expressions unfold slowly, asking for patience, persistence, and acceptance of discomfort. I may no...

Sometimes we think we know exactly what we want. We set clear goals and develop well-thought-out plans, believing they will lead us forward. Yet, despite all our efforts, we fail to achieve those goals. Repeated setbacks can be emotionally draining, painful, and deeply frustrating. Over time, this may even lead to depression and dis-ease.  In our search for answers, we begin to move from one “solution provider” to another, looking for quick fixes. In the process, we may fall into the hands of those who take advantage of our vulnerability. They tell us what we want to hear, and we follow blindly, having unknowingly outsourced our thinking. What could be responsible for this? Is it a jinx? Bad luck? Poor planning? Or perhaps the feeling that our prayers are unanswered? The truth is, we may never fully know. However, personal experience and observation suggest that the difference between success and failure often lies in our inability to understand their relationship. Succ...

There was a deeply revealing moment shared by the only female astronaut on the latest moon mission, when she spoke about truly understanding the meaning of “crew.” Looking back at Earth, so small, so distant, she came to a profound realisation: we are all part of one crew, sharing the same vessel. In that moment, the divisions we often cling to, race, status, nationality suddenly lose their meaning. What remains is a simple, undeniable truth: whatever happens to the Earth, happens to all of us. We rise together, or we fall together. This work reflects a moment when human ambition meets the vast silence of creation. Standing on unfamiliar ground, the figure is both small and significant, reminding us that even in the emptiness of space, there is presence, purpose, and wonder. It is a quiet tribute to how far we can go and how much still lies beyond us. #AbstractArt #SpaceArt #MoonLanding #ArtWithMeaning #ContemporaryArtist

Many people believe life’s greatest discoveries belong to youth. My own journey suggests otherwise. I began painting after the age of seventy, and yet this path has opened a new world of purpose and joy. Life often keeps its most beautiful surprises for those who remain curious. This work emerged through instinct rather than intention. At its centre, a small star appeared unplanned, becoming the quiet anchor around which all movement formed. The surrounding strokes radiate with energy, tension, and release, suggesting that even within chaos, something constant can emerge. The circle holds this unfolding moment, where creation reveals itself in real time. #AbstractArt  #ContemporaryArt  #Expressionist  #ArtFromTheSoul  #CircularCanvas

This painting is inspired by the biblical account of Exodus, where the Israelites, in their flight from oppression under Pharaoh, crossed the Red Sea in search of the Promised Land, a land described as flowing with milk and honey. It is a story of deliverance, faith, and the courage to move forward into the unknown. In this composition, the towering passage through the parted waters becomes more than a physical path; it is a spiritual ascent. The figures, small yet determined, suggest humanity’s collective struggle, each step forward marked by uncertainty, yet guided by hope. The sweeping motion of the sea evokes both danger and divine protection, capturing a moment suspended between fear and freedom. This work also echoes the themes of my memoir, Grace and Resilience. Just as the Israelites journeyed through hardship toward promise, my own life reflects a passage through trials, guided by faith, endurance, and an unwavering belief in brighter horizons. The painting becom...

I have just 30 copies of my memoir left, and rather than selling them, I have chosen to give them as gifts. Each copy will go to those who support the Matthew Adekunle Medupin Foundation with a minimum donation of £20. The foundation is very close to my heart, as it is dedicated to helping orphans, widows, and those living with sickle-cell disease in Ogidi-Ela, my hometown in Nigeria. The memoir will be launched on Saturday, 9th May, as part of my 6th Art Exhibition at the Upper Hall of St William of York Roman Catholic Church, Forest Hill, London, from 12 noon to 5 pm. The event will also form part of the celebration of my 76th birthday. It would mean a great deal to me to have you there—to share in this special moment of art, purpose, and personal milestone. You are most warmly invited. Please DM me for more information.

I have just 30 copies of my memoir left, and rather than selling them, I have chosen to give them as gifts. Each copy will go to those who support the Matthew Adekunle Medupin Foundation with a minimum donation of £20. The foundation is very close to my heart, as it is dedicated to helping orphans, widows, and those living with sickle-cell disease in Ogidi-Ela, my hometown in Nigeria. The memoir will be launched on Saturday, 9th May, as part of my 6th Art Exhibition at the Upper Hall of St William of York Roman Catholic Church, Forest Hill, London, from 12 noon to 5 pm. The event will also form part of the celebration of my 76th birthday. It would mean a great deal to me to have you there—to share in this special moment of art, purpose, and personal milestone. You are most warmly invited. Please DM me for more information.

This abstract painting is the cover of my memoir, titled Grace and Resilience, a story of my life. The composition is divided into two zones, warm and cool, to symbolise the dual aspects of my life’s journey: struggles and triumphs, pain and healing, youth and maturity. The warm side, with its reds, oranges, and yellows,  reflects energy, faith, determination, and love: the inner fire that carried me from rural beginnings to urban life and creative self-discovery.  The cool side,  in hues of blue,  represents calm, reflection, spirituality, and grace: the quiet strength that sustained me through transitions and challenges. The swirling, blended motion of the colours, rather than a strict separation, suggests that my journey has never been linear. Life’s experiences, emotions, and stages flow into one another,  grace intertwined with resilience. This also echoes the impressionist nature of my art, a hobby I discovered by accident at the start of my se...

This painting was created in November 2020 and is inspired by the biblical story of the prodigal son. While the story is widely known, my interpretation is deeply personal. It reflects moments from my own young adult life, where I witnessed, and in some ways experienced, the journey of departure, struggle, and return. , The central embrace represents acceptance beyond judgment, while the dark path speaks to the trials that often precede restoration. The surrounding village and figures are not just background, they are witnesses, much like society, family, and memory, which observe our journeys whether we realise it or not. This work is not about perfection in form, but truth in experience. It is a reminder that no matter how far one travels, there is always a path that leads back.

My exploration of different media has been an integral part of my artistic journey, as I continually seek new ways to represent the world around me. This particular piece marks one of my early experiments with rock painting, inspired by a memorable holiday in the seaside town of Bognor Regis. The rocks were part of the seaside memorabilia I brought home. Simple and natural keepsakes that carried with them the atmosphere and quiet beauty of the shore. Transforming one of these stones into a painted surface gave me a way to extend that experience beyond the moment. During that time, I was captivated by the lively presence of birds along the coast all gracefully moving through the air and coexisting with the vibrant seaside environment. Their energy, colour, and freedom left a lasting impression on me, and it felt only natural to make them the subject of my first attempt at painting on stone. This small rock painting therefore carries more than just an image; it embodies a che...