By Rahmat Oladejo
A new artistic experience celebrating Nigeria’s cultural heritage, traditional craftsmanship and the enduring power of prayer is set to take centre stage in Ibadan as Nigerian-British multidisciplinary artist Orry Shenjobi unveils Àdúrà Lẹ́rẹ̀, an ambitious installation exploring the connections between memory, identity, spirituality and sustainability.
The exhibition, scheduled to open to the public on November 12, 2026, at New Culture Studios, Ibadan, brings together traditional Nigerian craft techniques and contemporary product design in a site-specific sculptural installation that seeks to reimagine how cultural heritage can inform the future of design.
According to the artist, the project reflects her growing interest in the stories, materials and traditions inherited from previous generations, as well as the choices people make in preserving and transforming them.
“As my practice has developed, I have become increasingly interested in what we inherit, what we preserve and what we choose to build from it. I look at how stories, materials, objects, images and ways of making can carry memory and meaning, while also taking on new forms,” Shenjobi said.
At the heart of Àdúrà Lẹ́rẹ̀ is an exploration of sustainability and the ways design systems are shaped by use, memory and culture. The artist collaborates with traditional carvers from Benin and Ibadan, incorporating locally sourced materials and traditional methodologies into a contemporary artistic environment.
The project also seeks to address the gradual erosion of traditional practices by demonstrating how indigenous design knowledge can remain relevant in modern society. Through the installation, Shenjobi presents Nigerian design traditions not merely as remnants of the past but as living systems capable of inspiring future creative possibilities.
The installation features several interconnected artistic elements housed within The Bamboo Dome, a structure that accommodates a stained-glass window, Stations of the Cross, bronze works, photography and furniture. The exhibition draws from a wide range of disciplines, including collage, painting, craft, glasswork, sculpture, sound, scent and image, while paying tribute to Yoruba and Benin carving traditions.
Shenjobi’s multidisciplinary approach is further reflected in her collaboration with local artisans, makers, writers, musicians and curators. Her experience as an artist and product designer enables her to bring different creative practices together, creating an immersive environment that encourages visitors to encounter art through multiple forms and perspectives.
Her Nigerian-British heritage also informs the installation, particularly its engagement with identity, memory and cultural continuity. By bringing personal histories into conversation with collective experiences, the artist examines how cultural identity can be preserved, reinterpreted and communicated through materials, objects and shared spaces.
The project has its roots in Shenjobi’s artistic residency at New Culture Studios in February 2026, during which she undertook archival research centred largely on the history of Ibadan. The location itself carries considerable artistic significance, having been established through the vision of renowned Nigerian artist and Mbari Club member Demas Nwoko as a space dedicated to artistic expression and cultural innovation.
Although the installation draws on spiritual and religious references, the artist clarifies that the Dome should not be understood as a religious or sacred location. Rather, Àdúrà Lẹ́rẹ̀ is presented as a physical expression of a prayer from her late grandmother, with Catholic influences evident in the Stations of the Cross and the Dome’s architectural inspiration, drawn from the Dominican Chapel in Ibadan.
The title, which translates literally as “there is reward in prayer,” carries a deeper interpretation within the project. Shenjobi describes its underlying message as “prayer is the foundation of everything,” presenting the installation as an offering that invites reflection on faith, possibility and the foundations upon which people build their lives.
Beyond the physical artworks, the exhibition will feature a public programme comprising artist talks, readings, book launches, workshops and film screenings. The activities are designed to extend the experience beyond the gallery space, strengthening the project’s emphasis on community engagement, education and shared cultural experiences.
Shenjobi, founder of Studio ỌRRY, a creative production studio based between Lagos and London, works across photography, film, painting, sculpture, installation and design. Her practice centres on community, documentation and storytelling, with particular attention to the intersections of personal and collective histories.
With a background in Product Design from the University of Leeds and a master’s degree in Social Innovation and Sustainable Futures from the University of the Arts London, she brings design research, material exploration and social consciousness into her work. Àdúrà Lẹ́rẹ̀ represents a further exploration of her interest in creating immersive environments that bring together heritage, contemporary design and community participation. The exhibition will till May 12, 2027, at New Culture Studios, Ibadan.
