By Chukwuma Ajakah

The vibrant city of Miami played host to the celebration of art and legacy as renowned Nigerian artist, art promoter, and founder of the famous Nike Arts Gallery, Chief (Mrs) Nike Davies-Okundaye,, took center stage at Ko Art Space, a popular Miami-based gallery.

The exhibition which opened 3 December, and closed 7 December, 2025, was a rare opportunity for art enthusiasts to experience a curation of Mama Nike’s artworks from the late 60s and early 70s.

This exhibition was a labor of love, conceived by some of the iconic artist’s associates and others, including her eldest daughter, Seyi Awoyomi as a tribute to her tireless efforts in mentoring and promoting emerging artists over the years.

The art connoisseur is being celebrated by various art collectors, art institutions, and Museum.
The show featured a captivating array of pieces that not only showcased Mama Nike’s technical prowess but also her innovative approach to art.

The exhibition provided a fascinating glimpse into Nike Davies-Okundaye’s formative years as an artist, highlighting her unique perspective and style. The works on display were a testament to her enduring legacy and influence in the art world.

The exhibition was a fitting tribute to the art connoisseur’s contributions to the art world, both as an artist and a promoter. It also served as a reminder of the importance of recognizing and celebrating the achievements of artists who have paved the way for others while they are alive.
The acclaimed artist has often remained in the shadows while projecting the numerous artists she has mentored over the years. This exhibition aims to tell the full story by shining a spotlight on her artistic ingenuity and showcasing her worth to the art world.
Mama Nike’s work is rooted in Yoruba traditional African textile artistry and modern visual storytelling, characterized by intricate hand techniques of indigo dyeing, batik, embroidery, appliqué, and headwork, which she employs to explore rich symbolic patterns that preserve and reimagine Yoruba cultural heritage, mythology, and folktales.
The titles featured in the exhibition include, “Strength of a Woman” and “The lost Cat” (bead work on board).
While speaking on the significance of the art exhibition, Head and Director of Nike Art Gallery in New York, USA, Oluwaseyi Awoyomi, also known as Shayee, the first daughter of the revered artist fondly addressed as “Mama” expressed delight at the opportunity to join in celebrating the sage on stage. “I have been under Mama’s tutelage from a young age, learning firsthand the significance of our heritage, the power of art as a medium for cultural expression, and her love to see aspiring artists grow,” Shayee said, adding that she hopes to continue her mother’s admirable legacy by being committed to expanding her mission of connecting Nigerian art with a global audience, through collaboration with like-minded artists, gallery owners, and admirers of Mama’s phenomenal works.

While commending the organizers of the Miami event, Shayee harped on the matriarch’s contributions to the development of art, especially through nurturing younger artists and using her own works as advocacy tools for projecting the beauty of Africa’s cultural heritage. She enthused that the art meant a great deal to Mama and her numerous fans, especially in Nigeria. “For me, this is more than an art showcase, it’s a celebration of legacy, sisterhood, and Mama’s unstoppable spirit of creativity,” she said, explaining that neither Mama Nike nor her fascinating art pieces have been given sufficient attention over time. Shayee, who is also a notable artist noted that gallery owners like the famous Kavita Cheleram, a close friend of Mama Nike felt that it was high time the UN Art and Culture Ambassador got set on the spotlight, which she has always reserved for her many mentees, to showcase her captivating works. As Kavita Cheleram, a close friend and ardent admirer of the legendary artist, aptly puts it, “It’s high time the spotlight shines on this multi-talented Art and Culture Ambassador.