Ugoma Ebilah and team set up memorial corner for Olu Ajayi

By Nehru Odeh

Ms Ugoma Ebilah, curator, gallerist & founder, Bloom Art Salon and Studio located on Victoria Island, Lagos and her team have set up a Memorial Corner for Dr Olu Ajayi, one of Nigeria’s notable artists and a pioneering figure in the nation’s contemporary art scene, who passed away in the early hours of Friday 23 May 2025. He was aged 62.

Ugoma made this known Friday in a statement entitled “Olu Ajayi (1963–2025): In loving memory of a guiding light and a dear friend”, which she released on behalf of Bloom Art Salon and Studio.

According to her, she and her team have, with the family’s permission set up a temporary memorial corner at the Bloom Art Salon and Studio office located at Bloom Art @ Studio Ugoma, Flat 11 – Century Flats, 275 Kofo Abayomi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria.

A condolence book has been opened at the memorial corner for for those who would like to come by for a hug, a prayer or to pen some words to Olu and for Olu in the book. “It is extremely painful for us but we want to do all we can to honour his life and his memory,” Ugoma said.

“We were proud to have been close observers, enjoyers and purveyors of his vivid, vibrant, and layered paintings which all carry the same depth. A colourist extraordinaire, Olu saw art as resistance, an opportunity to express one’s individuality and unique voice, and a conduit to find confidence in the fullness of self,” Ugoma noted

Ugoma also made available the telephone lines through which the team can be reached to ask any questions whatsoever and/or to arrange one’s visit. They are: Haleemah: +234 8104898470 or Emmanuel +234 9082068403 or Ugoma +23Please4 7034030683.

The statement read: “It is with deep sorrow that we say goodbye to our beloved artist. mentor, visionary and friend, Olu Ajayi, who passed away in the early hours of Friday the 23rd of May, 2025.

It has been a painful two weeks as we slowly grapple with this new reality and imagine a future without him. Olu meant so much to us and we are completely devastated by his death.

Olu Ajayi was a pioneering figure in Nigeria’s contemporary art scene – his paintings reflected the dualities of life: joy and grief, sensuality and shame, clarity and complexity.

We were proud to have been close observers, enjoyers and purveyors of his vivid, vibrant, and layered paintings which all carry the same depth. A colourist extraordinaire, Olu saw art as resistance, an opportunity to express one’s individuality and unique voice, and a conduit to find confidence in the fullness of self.

Olu was more than an artist to us. He was our family. A constant source of strength, wisdom, humor, generosity, and possessing a fierce creative and intellectual energy – he shaped our programming, our philosophy and our point of view.

Olu’s contributions to the Nigerian art landscape were as impactful as they were enduring. His works have been exhibited across Africa & Europe, and continue to inspire audiences around the world.

Olu Ajayi worked hard himself to build community and would always support and attend many of our other artists’ exhibitions – from the masters to our younger contemporary artists.

As a trustee of the Guild of Professional Fine Artists (GFA), he acted as a protector, nurturer, and builder for African art and artists. As a past chairman of the Society of Nigerian Artists (SNA) he also instituted the October Rain event, a hallmark and yearly source of inspiration and joy for the local art community. Daring, invested, and consistent in his over 40 year art practice, his being and his art paved the way for many other painters in the country.

He was truly a son of the soil, a deep lover of culture – and of his hometown Ososo in Edo State – and of this country, Nigeria.

Our hearts are heavy, yet filled with gratitude as we considered ourselves privileged to have known Olu intimately…to work with him, laugh with him, create with him and celebrate the many ways his mind and talent changed our lives.

May his journey onward be as luminous as the incredible legacy he leaves behind. His life, work and time with us will never ever be forgotten.

We sympathise in solidarity with his most beloved wife Priscilla, his wonderful children and his entire extended family who are very close-knit. We also mourn with the entire Nigerian artistic, cultural and intellectual family – especially his other families at Auchi Polytechnic and University of Benin.

With his family’s permission, we’ve set up a temporary memorial corner at the Bloom Art salon & studio office in Victoria Island, for those who would like to come by for a hug, a prayer or to pen some words to Olu and for Olu in the condolence book.

It is extremely painful for us but we want to do all we can to honour his life and his memory.

The address is Bloom Art @ Studio Ugoma, Flat 11 – Century Flats, 275 Kofo Abayomi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria and we respectfully ask that your condolence visits are scheduled. We truly look forward to receiving you and to supporting one another at this solemn time.

Please reach out to the team – Haleemah: +234 8104898470 or Emmanuel +234 9082068403 or Ugoma +234 7034030683 with any questions whatsoever and/or to arrange your visit.

God help us all and God rest the soul of Olu Ajayi and comfort his family and loved ones. Amen.

With great love,

Ugoma Ebilah & The Bloom Art Team