By Osa Mbonu-Amadi

More than 50 years old paintings, among other mixed media and sculptures, are showing as the first posthumous solo art exhibition of modernist, Yusuf Grillo.

Grillo, (1934–2021) died as one of Nigerian artists whose works have inspired many within and outside the academia. The exhibition, titled Yusuf Grillo: Like You’ve Never Seen, will be shown from August 24 – 30, 2024 at Yusuf Grillo Museum, Ikeja, Lagos.

According to the organisers, the exhibition exposes Grillo’s works not seen in public during his lifetime. Among the works are his 1970s works, as well as those produced shortly before his death.

Organised by GRILLOArt Limited, the exhibition comes with a difference, focusing on the rarely seen, and never before exhibited conceptual works for bigger scale commissions, Morayo Anthonio, Executive Director said. Among works to be shown, said Anthonio, are “mosaic murals, stained glass church windows and bas-relief sculptures that the master artist produced during the prime years of his life.”

While announcing the exhibition, Anthonio, Grillo’s daughter, noted that although her father wanted the works to remain in his private collections, the preservation was too alluring to deny art lovers opportunity to see the masterpieces.

She listed some other works in sculptures, shown before the artist’s death, that will be exhibited alongside uncovered paintings. “While the focal point of the exhibition will be these nine conceptual paintings, other previously exhibited paintings will also be on show as well as maquettes of sculpture commissions undertaken by the artist at various periods of his life.”

Reviewing the exhibition through its e-catalogue, Prof. Jerry Buhari gave a rich historical perspective to some of the works, particularly the commissions pieces of which Grillo was known for:

“The mosaic commissions that Yusuf Grillo executed were created from the gouache designs he first made, and in this catalogue, we have five excellent examples in full colour,” Prof Buhari wrote. “Again, these gouaches evidence not only his work process but also the commitment he brings to bear in his work and relationship with clients.”

Buhari commended Grillo’s estate in preserving the paintings and the maquettes. “These gouaches and maquettes become contract agreements of a sort, between the artist and the client. That the Estate has been able to keep these works in such excellent condition with a little help from the expertise of Dr. Odun Orimolade and Dr. Adeola Balogun, is very commendable.”

In his curatorial note, Kehinde Sanwo referred to the event as “a groundbreaking posthumous exhibition.” He described the works as “unprecedented collections” which have been carefully picked from so many to unveil “a fresh perspective to Grillo’s innovative style and artistic prowess.”

The curator explained inclusion of some of the familiar works of Grillo into the exhibition: “Maquettes of commissioned sculptures, carved wooden partition stand and wooden stools will be on display, providing a comprehensive understanding of Grillo’s artistic trajectory.” He argued that   the exhibition confirms Grillo’s “boundless creativity and his enduring legacy as a leading figure in modern art.”

 Apart from Yusuf Grillo: Like You’ve Never Seen, Anthonio also announced that the next event, as parts of activities celebrating the artist will be a private art auction scheduled to hold before the end of the year. “For the collectors who have long sought an opportunity to add a Grillo to their collections, we offer by a private auction sale, featuring one original, and limited edition prints of five of the conceptual works.”

 Grillo Museum houses a collection of artworks, images, and writing by and of Yusuf Grillo, carefully curated as a center of learning about his works, the arts and art history of Nigeria. The Grillo Museum is also about a space where art can be experienced and celebrated by artists, art lovers, and the public through exhibitions, workshops, performances, seminars, and meetings.

The Museum features permanent exhibits of his original artworks, maquettes, designs for murals and sketches, leƩers, books, notes, and even his tools and instruments. It also features the collection of artworks by other artists and traditional carvings he acquired over time.

Born in 1934, in Lagos, Grillo graduated in Fine Arts from the Nigerian College of Arts, Science and Technology in 1960. He was member of the Zaria Arts Society, a group of students that spearheaded an artistic revolution that challenged the norms of colonial education. In the late 1950s, the Zaria Art Society embraced a theory of “Natural Synthesis,” fusing indigenous Nigerian themes with European techniques. This initiative gave rise to the appellation “Zaria Rebels” by which the Zaria Art Society is often referred to.