Contemporary Visual artist Olaseni Jawando, popularly called Seni Jawando recently depicted this passion of his at the launch of his solo exhibition tag; Reflection IV. When asked how many more years he will be painting, Jawando answered that he has no age limit and painting is not a profession that can be retired from.
The show that took place at Eko Hotels & Suites in Lagos showcased 74 of Jawando’s works that pointed to his versatility which covers adire textiles, cowrie art, mixed media oil paintings and detailed drawings. The event received many big personalities and fans because of the intent and philosophy behind his works.
His works occupies from realistic depictions of Nigeria’s terrain to the abstract of social issues, the art works depict a timeless feel across the generation.
Jawando said that in Reflection IV he was painting a voyage of discovery, getting into a mirror and translating spirit into art. the unveiling of his solo exhibition titled Reflection IV. At 79 years old, Jawando expressed his commitment to continue creating art as long as he can hold a brush, emphasizing that art is a lifelong pursuit without retirement.
The exhibition, held at Eko Hotels in Lagos, featured 74 pieces that highlighted Jawando’s mastery across various media, including adire textiles, cowrie art, mixed-media oil paintings, and intricate drawings. The event attracted numerous high-profile guests and art enthusiasts, drawn by the depth of his storytelling and artistic vision.
His works range from vivid portrayals of Nigeria’s landscapes to abstract pieces addressing societal themes, showcasing a timeless appeal that resonates across generations
Jawando described Reflection IV as a journey of self-discovery, akin to gazing into a mirror and translating one’s soul into art. He revisited a few as recently as 2024 to insist that, in his words, art is a lifestyle, meaning he does not retire from creating art. But he also identified major problems of Nigeria art market, for example lack of proper venues for art exhibitions and high costs of the events organization. He added that many galleries are small and can hardly accommodate large shows and that organizing venues is very expensive—3.7 million naira daily for the venue of his show.
Also, Jawando worried that in art professional creation, most materials and equipment for arts are imported and thus subject to exchange variations affecting sustainability. He spoke of the need to work with quality material and mentioned that he spends a lot of money on materials for his projects.
According to Jawando, he would encourage young artists to be patient and to constantly engage in the work they are doing. These accomplishments he said are not measured by the amount of cash that has been made but by creation, development, passion, and hard work.
This experience has predisposed him as a retired school principal to work in similar vein on teaching and art as takes time and effort in nurturing.
Last but not the least, Jawando urged governmental as well as institutional support for artists in Nigeria. This year he actively fought for additional galleries and vacant premises for exhibitions and performances, stating that art remains one of the key cultural directions that requires better conditions.
