“Echoes of Innocence” by Emmanuel Idowu Opens in Lagos as Part of Absa’s Pan-African Art Exhibition Series

Absa Group, in partnership with the South African National Association for the Visual Arts (SANAVA), proudly presents “Echoes of Innocence”, a solo exhibition by Nigerian artist Emmanuel Idowu, one of the 2023 Absa L’Atelier Ambassador Award winners. The exhibition is currently on view at Alliance Française Lagos and runs until 26 July 2025.

This powerful body of work is part of Absa’s 2025 L’Atelier Pan-African Exhibition Series, a prestigious initiative showcasing seven rising voices from five African nations. It offers a rare and valuable platform for emerging artists to tell their stories through professionally curated solo exhibitions in leading galleries across the continent.

“Echoes of Innocence” is a deeply personal meditation on childhood, identity, and time. Through a symbolic blend of acrylic painting, sculpture, and visual storytelling, Idowu revisits formative memories and Yoruba mythology to explore how our earliest experiences continue to shape us. His works evoke both nostalgia and self-reflection, inviting audiences to reconnect with their inner histories.

“This body of work is deeply human, and profoundly Nigerian,” said Mr Adedotun Sulaiman, Chairman of Absa Nigeria, at the opening event. “Emmanuel reminds us that childhood is never truly behind us, it lingers in our memories and in the quiet architecture of who we become.”

Now in its 39th year, the Absa L’Atelier programme is one of Africa’s longest-running and most respected visual arts development platforms. It offers young artists from across the continent mentorship, funding, and global exposure, empowering them not only to create but to thrive.

“At Absa, we believe every artist’s story matters,” added Mr Sulaiman. “People are more than titles or numbers, they carry dreams, passions, and untold motivations. These exhibitions provide a stage for those stories to be seen, heard, and celebrated.”