A new contemporary art exhibition, In Conversation with WS, will open at the Africa Centre, London, celebrating the 92nd birthday of Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka, the first African to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature.

Commissioned by The Wole Soyinka International Cultural Exchange (WSICE), Created by multidisciplinary artist Abolore Sobayo, the exhibition presents a bold and immersive body of work that explores Soyinka’s legacy through textile, portraiture, and participatory art. The project brings together pop-inspired visual interpretations of Soyinka with traditional Yoruba textile practices, including adire (tie-dye) and batik, rooted in the cultural heritage of Southwestern Nigeria, particularly Abeokuta, his birthplace.

At the heart of the exhibition is an exploration of the relationship between culture and creativity. Through layered textile compositions, Sobayo examines how Yoruba philosophy, symbolism, and oral traditions have influenced Soyinka’s writing and global impact.

By AD TK

What distinguishes In Conversation with WS is its participatory approach. Members of the public are invited to contribute their thoughts, reflections, and personal messages inspired by Soyinka’s work and legacy. These contributions will be incorporated directly into selected artworks, transforming the exhibition into a living, evolving archive of collective memory and dialogue.

“This exhibition is not just a tribute,” says Sobayo. “It is a conversation, between past and present, between culture and identity, and between the artist and the public. It invites people to reflect on what Soyinka’s work means to them personally and collectively.”

The exhibition aims to move beyond traditional display by actively involving audiences in the creative process, offering a space where art is not only viewed but also shaped by those who engage with it.