By Osa Amadi

Lagos art lovers have plenty to anticipate as “Recycling Matters II” gears up to open at Alexis Galleries on Saturday, February 7, 2026.

This group exhibition caps an intensive residency program hosted by the Victoria Island gallery in partnership with The Macallan, spotlighting four standout contemporary Nigerian artists: Konboye Ebipade Eugene, Seye Morakinyo, Aliya Diseotu Victor, and Ibrahim Afegbua.

Curated as the public showcase of their residency output, the show transforms waste into profound art, highlighting creativity’s power to spark social reflection and environmental awareness. It drives home a simple truth: nothing is truly waste—trash often hides treasure.

The works tackle Nigeria’s waste crisis head-on, fueled by our import-heavy economy and breakneck consumption habits. By reworking scraps into sculptures and mixed-media pieces, the artists turn discarded rubber, metal, fabric remnants, and even old footwear into symbols of memory, resilience, and renewal. Viewers are left rethinking their bond with everyday discards.

Each artist pushed boundaries during the residency, honing techniques with overlooked materials.

Ibrahim Afegbua, the wire sculptor famous for ring-like spirals, relished the space to fuse metals into bold new forms. “This residency lets me experiment with wire and metal, showing people the hidden possibilities and the real process behind the art,” he shared.

Seye Morakinyo, a mixed-media maestro, layers discarded fabrics and paper into textured depths that defy norms, proving forgotten scraps can yield intricate beauty.

Konboye Ebipade Eugene, an eco-art star with Reuters and BBC nods, stitches abandoned shoes into tales of human grit, movement, and endurance—inspiring a wave of sustainable creators worldwide.

Aliya Diseotu Victor, blending sheet metal with Ijaw heritage and anatomical forms, crafts installations that merge sculpture, culture, and eco-potential.

Hammed Adebiyi, Senior Brand Manager for West and Central Africa at Edrington Portfolio (The Macallan’s home), praised the collaboration’s roots in craftsmanship and foresight. “We champion patience, process, and purpose. This residency fosters deep experimentation and mentorship, yielding art that resonates on sustainability and cultural layers,” he noted.

Mark your calendars for February 7 at Alexis Galleries, where Lagos waste meets world-class wonder.