For years, I have heard a lot about Prince Yemisi Shyllon and his art collections, especially from Victor Ekpuk, Dele Jegede, Sylvester Ogbechie, Aderonke Adesanya, Kunle Filani, and Chika Okeke-Agulu. I also heard about his plans to consolidate his collections in one location.
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However, my current revival of interest in his museum is owed to Professor Bola Sotunsa, my Co-convener of the 2021 J. A. Atanda conference, who coordinated the invitation of guests for the opening ceremony on June 21st. She took it upon herself to invite HE Alhaja Salmot Badru, Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Dr. Toyin Taiwo, Honorable Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, HR Oba Abolarin Adedokun, The Orangun of Oke Ila, Oba Michael Mojeed Sonuga, the Olofin of Ilisan-Remo, Oba Adeleke Idowu Basibo, the Alaperu of Iperu, and Eng. Yemisi Shyllon. My role, as the Co-Convener, was to thank all the guests for accepting and to thank Prince Shyllon for also agreeing to Chair the Keynote session. Af
ART-ICLES
South South Veza looms. For this South South’s inaugural event, kó features a solo presentation by Peju Alatise, one of Africa’s leading female contemporary artists. Through the event, South South (a gallery-led online community, anthology, live resource and aggregator dedicated to art from the so-called Global South and its diaspora) hosts over 50 other galleries “from more than 40 cities spread across 30 countries and five continents” from Tuesday, February 23 to Sunday, March 7.
At kó’s formal launch on Friday, September 25, its visionary founder Kavita Chellaram – hitherto renowned in the Lagos art circles for her trailblazing auction house Arthouse Contemporary and its satellite projects (Arthouse -The Space and Arthouse Foundation) – enthused about her creating “a separate and unique gallery entity”.