Wake Up! 2 brought an anarchic spirit to Ikoyi, Lagos, as young Nigerian artists displayed work inspired by punk, skating, and pop culture. The exhibition took place at the Angels and Muse gallery from September 5 to 11, 2026. Curated by Awele Onwordi, the event aimed to showcase how local youth culture shapes art despite economic and political challenges.
Anchored in local energy
Visitors found a space filled with casual dress, tattoos, and eclectic music. DJ Oche played tracks from Erykah Badu and Nirvana. The atmosphere felt less like a formal gallery opening and more like a community gathering. Onwordi, a graphic designer and multidisciplinary artist, founded the series to inject new life into the Nigerian art scene. Her goal was to highlight emerging talents who resonate with the lived experiences of young Nigerians.
She noted that art is not abstract for this demographic; it is a tangible part of daily life. The second edition featured returning artists alongside new names, building on the foundation laid by the first show in March 2026. The first edition of Wake Up!, which ran from 21- 28 March 2026, matured as an idea in Onwordi’s head for about two years before it was eventually brought to life.
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Style and substance
The art on display reflected a specific visual identity. Chuka Onwordi favoured an electric pink and lime green palette, while Kozetuo Ofuge Apeji referenced Dennis the Menace in his acrylic paintings. Daniella Almona captured the defiant attitude of the Dencity all-women’s skate collective in her photography. Franklyn Okoye incorporated patriotic themes into screen-printed football jerseys.
Wake Up! 2 was on display from September 5 to 11, 2026 at Angels and Muse, 5 Sumbo Jibowu Street, Ikoyi, Lagos.