‘Thorns and Crown’, a solo exhibition by Taofeek Badru, was recently unveiled by Absa L’Atelier, together with the South African National Association for the Visual Arts (SANAVA) . Hosted at Alliance Française in Lagos as part of the 2025 Pan-African Gallery Exhibition Series, the event featured an intricately constructed showcase that solidifies Badru’s place in the contemporary African art scene, GBENGA SALAU reports.
Taofeek Badru’s hand-made embroidery, bronze sculpture, and textile installations formed a compelling visual lexicon of leadership, prestige, and burden. Three distinct triptychs gave guests room to move, ponder, and react—many wore expressions of awe. The opening attracted notable figures from Absa and the cultural community, lending gravitas to an event that blended artistic innovation with deep-rooted African tradition.
Some of the personalities that were include Sadiq Abu, Country CEO of Absa group; Precious Naadorn, Marketing Executive, Alliance Française de Lagos, and Adedotun Sulaiman, Chairman, Absa group, Nigeria.
In his opening remarks, Abu commended Alliance Française for creating space for African stories to be told with dignity, depth, and cultural integrity.
He added, “Stories in Conversation with Badru Taofeek is not just an art event, it is a moment of reflection. And Thorns and Crown is more than an exhibition, it is a mirror. One that shows us the dualities of leadership: its admiration and its weight, its honour and its burden.
“Badru has gifted us something rare, a deeply personal, yet universally resonant body of work. In reimagining the Yoruba crown not just as a symbol of status, but of internal struggle, he has elevated a local narrative into a global conversation. That’s the kind of storytelling we believe in at Absa Nigeria rooted in tradition, but forward-looking and globally relevant.”
Abu noted that Absa L’Atelier is not just about visibility, but about development, especially as a pipeline for African artists to receive structured, strategic support: mentorship, funding, exhibition opportunities, and continental exposure.
“Many of our past ambassadors have gone on to build successful international careers and we have every confidence that Badru will do the same. To Badru, thank you. For your courage. For your craftsmanship. For telling the truth through texture and tension. And for taking Nigerian art with you as you continue your journey into galleries, into minds, and into hearts far beyond this space.
“To our partners at the Alliance Francais de Lagos, we thank you for the continued partnership. For opening your doors and allowing us to partner with you in showcasing Africa’s future artistic talent. At Absa, we don’t just support artists because it’s the right thing to do; we support artists because they shape how we think, how we feel, and how we evolve as a society. They are central to progress, not separate from it.”
Abu lauded all arts enthusiasts for showing up for the arts and for recognising that transformation is not only economic, it is cultural, emotional, and creative.
On his part, Adedotun Sulaiman, Chairman of Absa Group, Nigeria, in his welcome address, thanked the artist, Taofeek Badru, for creating the concept.
He further said: “Your vision, vulnerability, and voice are at the heart of why we are all gathered here tonight. Through your work, you give shape to stories that are often felt but rarely spoken. We are honoured to support your journey and proud to witness Nigerian creativity standing confidently on the global stage.
“Let me also thank our hosts, Marc Brébant and the Alliance Française team, for their continued support of the arts and their continued generous partnership with Absa. This collaboration brings together shared values, cross-cultural dialogue, emerging talent, and the belief that African stories matter, cross-cultural dialogue, emerging talent, and the belief that African stories matter.
“This evening also marks the second instalment of the 2025 Absa L’Atelier Pan-African Exhibition Series, which will travel from Lagos to Ghana, Uganda and South Africa, highlighting artists such as Emmanuel Idowu, Gandor Collins, Edward Lawerh, Adelheid Franciwicz, Bulumko Mbete and Joe Gayi. Each artist brings a unique voice to the shared narrative of modern African identity.
“But today, we focus on Badru Taofeek, our 2022 Absa L’Atelier Ambassador, and his remarkable body of work, Thorns and Crown. Through embroidery, sculpture, and textile, Badru explores the emotional weight of leadership and the complex space between reverence and isolation. His work is poetic and unflinching, a reflection on what it means to be seen, to serve, and to sacrifice.
“At Absa, we are proud to support artists like Badru through the L’Atelier programme, a pan-African art competition hosted in partnership with SANAVA, the South African National Association for the Visual Arts. Now in its 39th year, the L’Atelier offers winning artists not only an international residency, but also masterclasses, mentorship, exhibition support, and skills development opportunities to help them thrive professionally. It provides a platform to explore personal narratives, tackle contemporary issues, and ultimately, bring African stories to life on a global stage.
Sulaiman who applauded Badru for his works, said it reminds Nigerian art is not only thriving, it is leading. “We are honoured to support you as you take your practice beyond our borders and onto the international stage. You carry not only your personal story, but the creative brilliance of this nation and we know you will represent both with courage, complexity, and pride.”
Noting that the exhibition runs until June 28, 2025, Sulaiman encouraged art enthusiasts to spend time with it, share it, and allow its themes to linger long after they leave.
Providing more insight about the ABSA L’Atelier, he said it has been on for over 39 years, because ABSA considers art to be a central part of what it does as an organisation.
