Threads of Time, the much-anticipated coffee-table book, arrives with the vibrant energy characteristic of Lagos’s dynamic art scene. Highlighting the enduring legacy of renowned Nigerian artist Chief Tola Wewe, the publication offers a visually compelling and intellectually rich exploration of his work.
Curated and authored by Chinaza Orji, the coffee table book presents a thoughtful narrative that honours both the artist’s prolific oeuvre and the pioneering spirit of the Ona movement. Its official launch will take place at Nike Art Gallery, Lekki, on Sunday, August 17, 2025, at 1 pm, where art enthusiasts, collectors, and members of the public are expected to attend. With each page, Threads of Time delivers a carefully crafted homage to one of the leading figures in contemporary Nigerian art, positioning the book as both a scholarly resource and a collector’s edition of significance.
Published by Ebubay, Threads of Time is far more than a visually arresting art catalogue; it is a meticulously curated visual biography of a man whose life and work have been inextricably woven into Nigeria’s cultural, political, and spiritual fabric. It spans 137 carefully selected works from Chief Wewe’s prolific career, each accompanied by context that situates it within a broader national and historical timeline.
Read also: Nuzo Onoh, queen of African horror, to release new books August 12th, October 14th
“Time by itself means nothing, no matter how fast it moves, unless we give it something to carry for us; something we value,” wrote Ghanaian writer Ama Ata Aidoo—words that Chinaza Orji uses to frame the essence of this landmark publication.
Born in 1959 in Okitipupa, Ondo State, Chief Tola Wewe has long been celebrated for his distinctive style—a vibrant synthesis of Yoruba iconography, folklore, and modern expressionism. With a degree in fine arts from the University of Ife and a Master’s in African visual arts from the University of Ibadan, Wewe began his career as a cartoonist and educator before fully committing to his studio practice in the early 1990s.
Through his rich use of colour, intricate patterning, and spiritual undertones, Wewe earned the informal moniker “iwin”—forest-dwelling nature beings. His nocturnal, trance-like creative process has become part of his mystique. His art boldly explores themes such as identity, spirituality, sexuality, politics, and intergenerational memory, garnering international attention in exhibitions across Europe, the U.S., and Africa.
Curator and author Chinaza Orji brings a fresh and deeply thoughtful lens to the artist’s legacy. A Sotheby’s Institute of Art graduate and the former founder of Lagos-based Watersworth Art Gallery, Orji is now based in Houston, Texas, where she leads Ebubay, a dynamic online platform and art consultancy focused on amplifying African art with care and intentionality. Threads of Time is one of Ebubay’s most ambitious undertakings to date and marks a new chapter in African art publishing.
“This book is a tribute, a ceremony, a handover of memory,” Orji explains. “It reminds us that we are part of something older than ourselves—and that our stories, when honoured and preserved, can outlive even time itself.”
Read also: Nigerian literature, authors on global spotlight at CORA-NPL Book Party
While Threads of Time delves deeply into Yoruba spiritual systems and cultural symbols, Orji, who professes deep Christian faith, emphasises that the project is rooted in cultural integrity, not personal theology. “These works transcend tribe and time,” she writes in her curatorial introduction, “drawing from a collective consciousness that honours the traditions while dreaming forward.”
Beyond its aesthetic and archival importance, Threads of Time is a response to broader structural challenges facing African artists: underrepresentation, undervaluation, and limited access to global markets. By contextualising Chief Wewe’s art within both personal and national narratives, the book offers curators, collectors, scholars, and art lovers a vital roadmap to understanding his evolution and enduring significance.
As Nigeria continues to cement its place on the global art map, Threads of Time stands as a bold and reverent offering, ensuring that Chief Tola Wewe’s legacy, like the threads of time themselves, remains unbroken.
