“ART TAKES CENTER STAGE: YEMISI SHYLLON MUSEUM UNVEILS COLLECTING NOW’S 2ND EDITION”
GREATRIBUNETVNEWS–THE Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art (YSMA) is set to host the second edition of its landmark exhibition, Collecting Now, opening on October 11, 2025. This highly anticipated event showcases 90 significant works from six distinguished Nigerian collectors, offering a rare glimpse into the country’s rich cultural heritage .
What to Expect:
– 90 Masterpieces: The exhibition features a diverse range of traditional, modern, and contemporary art from private collections, including works by Nigerian artists.
– Six Distinguished Collectors: The exhibition highlights the collections of Olufemi Akinsanya, Ifeyinwa Momah, Tayo Odunsi, Nonso Okpala, Bimpe Nkontchou, and Yemi Ogunbiyi.
– Cultural Significance: Collecting Now underscores the importance of art collecting in sustaining Nigeria’s cultural and creative economy.
– Artistic Mediums: The exhibition features works across painting, sculpture, photography, and mixed media, showcasing the interplay between individual taste and collective heritage .
Why It Matters:
The Collecting Now exhibition has become a significant platform for promoting Nigerian art and culture, providing a unique opportunity for art enthusiasts to engage with rare and exceptional works. The exhibition’s second edition is expected to build on the success of the first, further solidifying YSMA’s reputation as a leading cultural institution in Nigeria .
This year’s showcase is particularly notable for spotlighting two women collectors whose perspectives illustrate the multifaceted power of collecting—as a way of living and as an act of advocacy.
“The Collecting Now series reinforces YSMA’s role as a pioneering institution that brings private visions into public spaces,” said Dr. Jess Castellote, Director of the Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art. “We are not only presenting exceptional works of art but also shaping a critical conversation about collecting as a cultural practice that ensures continuity, strengthens our art ecosystem, and connects Nigeria’s artistic legacy with future generations.”
Reflecting on her participation in the exhibition, one of the featured collectors, Ifeyinwa Momah, shared: “For me, art is everyday living—it fills my spaces, shapes my memories, and inspires how I see the world. This exhibition is deeply meaningful because it allows these personal experiences to be encountered publicly, sparking conversations that affirm the value of art in our daily lives. I am proud to stand alongside fellow collectors in sharing our journeys through this platform at YSMA.”
The exhibition enjoys the continued support of Ark Insurance Brokers, who, for the second time, are sponsoring the insurance of the entirety of works on display. Their renewed partnership underscores their position as a leading brokerage provider for the arts in Nigeria, with a longstanding commitment to supporting culture and creativity alongside their broader insurance expertise.
“Our partnership with YSMA for Collecting Now reflects our enduring belief that Nigerian art is a national treasure worthy of world-class protection,” remarked Kayode Awogboro, Managing Director of Ark Insurance Group. “As a trusted name in insurance, we take pride in safeguarding collections of immense cultural value, while affirming our commitment to the arts as part of the fabric of society.”
Through this initiative, YSMA affirms its position as a pioneering institution dedicated to advancing cultural scholarship, deepening public access to art, and celebrating the vision of Nigerian collectors as curators and preservers of history and heritage. The general public is invited to see Collecting Now II between October 11, 2025 to February 9, 2026 at the Olori Funmilayo Shyllon Exhibition Gallery of the YSMA at Pan-Atlantic University.
About Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art
Described as “the apex of a collector’s aspiration to preserve his art” and voted Museum Opening of the Year by Apollo Magazine in 2020, the Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art (YSMA) at Pan-Atlantic University is Nigeria’s leading art institution, committed to service and impact through the preservation and showcase of the rich artistic heritage of Nigeria. With an extensive collection of artworks spanning centuries, YSMA offers a diverse range of exhibitions, educational programs, and activities designed to create immersive experiences for visitors and to enrich the cultural landscape of the nation.
To learn more about the YSMA and its initiatives, visit www.museum.pau.edu.ng.
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