Nigerian youth channel the spirit of punk at Wake Up! 2
An art show in Ikoyi, Lagos, exhibited works by young Nigerians with anarchic influences including punk, skating and Dennis the Menace.
The second installment of the youth art exhibition series, Wake Up! 2, took place at the Angels and Muse gallery in Ikoyi. Curator Awele Onwordi's vision for the event aimed to showcase the vibrant and dynamic spirit of Nigerian youth culture. Despite economic challenges, limited opportunities, and socio-political issues, the youth continue to shape culture through various creative outlets, such as music, fashion, art, skateboarding, raves, photography, and community engagement.
Upon entering the gallery, attendees were greeted with a lively atmosphere characterized by young people dressed in casual wear adorned with tattoos and piercings. The walls were adorned with photographs, animation-style paintings, skateboards, and football jerseys. In one corner, DJ and music producer Oche played an eclectic mix of songs, including tracks by Erykah Badu, Mowalola, and Nirvana.
The first edition of Wake Up! ran from March 21-28, 2026, and four artists from that exhibition returned for the September 5-11 show. Onwordi, a graphic designer and multidisciplinary artist, established the exhibition series as a platform to introduce new artists who reflect Nigerian youth culture. The event's aesthetic is heavily influenced by the punk-inspired color palette of Chuka Onwordi, as well as the artwork of Kozetuo Ofuge Apeji, which references popular comic strips.
The defiant energy of skateboarding collective Dencity and the patriotic spirit of Naija are also evident in the works on display.
Awele Onwordi, who is also a graphic designer, has contributed to the exhibition through her micro-short skate film Gliding, a mixed media video that blends moving images with static graphic illustrations. The artists participating in Wake Up! 2 embody a youthful demographic whose art is deeply rooted in their daily lives and experiences, transcending geographical boundaries and drawing inspiration from diverse global influences.
The exhibition challenges traditional notions of art and celebrates the bold, multifaceted ways in which young, urban Nigerians express themselves. Wake Up! 2 ran from September 5-11, 2026, at Angels and Muse, located at 5 Sumbo Jibowu Street, Ikoyi, Lagos.
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