By Henry Akubuiro
As we brace up for the 2025 Black History Month celebration of the U.K, a gathering of young artists of African descent has attracted the attention of the First Lady of Kwara State, Her Excellency, Prof. Olufolake Abdulrazaq.
During the launching of the Evolving Heritage Gala exhibition, held at XCHG Workplace, UK, Prof. Abdulrasaq, who is also the founder of Ajike People Support Centre, spoke as Special Guest. The launch, which included private viewing of artist, Lanre Olagoke MBE’s ‘The Master’s Retrospective – My Paintings from 1980 to Now’, had Prof. Abdulrasaq commending the efforts of the organisers in using arts as a veritable tool for social change and economic empowerment. For the Evolving Heritage Gala, which holds at the British Museum on October 2, 2025, with over 20 young artists, Prof Abdulrasaq expressed her willingness to support the event.
Organised jointly by U.K-based not-for-profit organisations Art-Alive Arts Trust, Centre Point and Her Rise Heritage, the Evolving Heritage Gala exhibition is aimed at promoting sustainable future for the young ones. The exhibition has been described as an initiative celebrating the intersection of art and social impact, while raising funds for UK youth in Commonwealth Africa.
As she stressed the importance of arts in the global economy, Prof Abdulrasaq who is also the Matron of African Fashion Week and London Fashion Week hinted of a collaboration with Olagoke in lifting Evolving Heritage Gala exhibition. “I look forward to possible collaboration with Lanre in October in something to inspire our youths,” Abdulrasaq stated.
Olagoke was given the MBE honour last year based on his over 25 years of art activism with Art-Alive Arts Trust. His collaboration with other co-organisers of Evolving Heritage art is motivated by challenges of many young people in Africa who are facing homelessness, exclusion or disability. The organisers noted that the youths were denied the chance to thrive, express themselves, or have a sense of belonging, adding that the unfortunate situations were not parallel crises, but deeply connected.
“The Evolving Heritage Gala was born from the conviction that access – to creativity, to dignity, to culture – is a right, not a luxury,” a joint statement by the three organisers explained their mission. “By bringing together heritage and culture with transformative youth art, we aim to turn silence into voice, vulnerability into power, and the quest for survival into opportunity.”
Highlights of the event included establishing and engaging artists from Commonwealth Africa, and also using their voices to inspire others; and showcasing of heritage and culture hope, where modern systems are failing; celebration of the human experience, where art serves as a bridge between nations, as well as collaboration transforms into a shared mission.
The Evolving Heritage exhibition, coincidentally comes on the second day of Nigerian Independence Day, in October as the event aims to provide the emerging artists with recognition in both the UK and Africa. Olagoke disclosed that he will be sponsoring some of the exhibiting artists. “I will be sponsoring three of these artists with a three-month residency award, enabling them to create works centered around the theme ‘Who I Am,’ Olagoke stated. “These pieces will be exhibited in one of the premier galleries in the UK, with nominations for the three artists being made by respected female art critics from both the UK and Africa.”
The criteria for artists’ participation in the exhibition include being full-time artists or photographers; should be of African and Caribbean heritage, be aged between 18 and 30, and must be based in the UK. Interested artists should submit their resumes to [email protected].
Artists selected are expected to submit a piece of work to Art-Alive Arts Trust, that will be ready to be displayed or placed on an easel. Size 100cm x 100cm ( Square). The piece of art submitted would be auctioned at the event which would help raise funds for the work the charity Art-Alive is doing in the community as 50% of the proceeds would go to the artist.
“At Art-Alive Arts Trust, we are eager to hear their stories and share them, encouraging these talented individuals to pursue their dreams until they are realized,” Olagoke assured. “Additionally, we will also recognize three female filmmakers in the following categories: director, producer, and screenwriter, all based in the UK. The criteria for submission include their latest film that they have produced, written, or directed, they should be full-time filmmakers, including producers and directors, and of African descent. The deadline for submissions is June 20, 2025. This is an urgent opportunity!”
The Evolving Heritage art show will also feature a musical section featuring DJ Cuppy and the musician, Egypt.