By Favour Ulebor, Abuja

A new art exhibition is set to highlight the cultural and creative side of Abuja, shifting attention from its long standing image as a political centre.

Renowned visual artist and creative entrepreneur, Bolaji Alonge, in collaboration with the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Abuja and Thought Pyramid Art Centre, will host the ‘ICONIC ABUJA’ arts exhibition from April 18 to 26, 2026, in Abuja.

Speaking at a press conference held at the embassy in Abuja, Alonge said the exhibition is designed to present a different narrative of the nation’s capital.

“We want to change Abuja’s narrative through art, for too long, this city has been seen only as a place for power and politics. Visitors land, go to their meetings, and leave. They never experience the soul of Abuja. We are here to prove that art can soften the hard edges of this capital.”

Alonge, known for his platform Eyes of a Lagos Boy, said his work focuses on documenting everyday life while telling deeper stories that reflect both the past and present realities of society.

Also speaking, the embassy’s deputy spokesperson, Dorothea Wenzel, said the exhibition would open a new perspective on Abuja.

“A new visual narrative of Nigeria’s capital is about to unfold—one that moves beyond the familiar surfaces of architecture and planning to reveal the deeper, more complex realities of the city and the people who shape it.”

She added that the exhibition is a major contemporary art showcase led by Alonge, in collaboration with German photographer Katharina Sasse and thirteen Nigerian artists working across photography, painting and mixed media.

The exhibition is expected to draw attention from art enthusiasts, diplomats and residents, while promoting Abuja as a growing centre for culture and creativity.