Arts: Recycling Explores Art, Sustainability, Reinvention In Lagos

When discarded rubber, scrap metal, fabric remnants, and abandoned footwear find their way into an art gallery, the result is more than an exhibition, it is a conversation about value, survival, and sustainability. This is the premise of Recycling Matters II, a group exhibition which will be held on February 7th, 2026 at Alexis Gallery, Lagos, following the completion of an artist residency programme presented by Alexis Galleries in partnership with The Macallan.

The programme brings together four contemporary Nigerian artists, Konboye Ebipade Eugene, Seye Morakinyo, Aliya Diseotu Victor, and Ibrahim Afegbua, whose practices are rooted in the reclamation and transformation of waste. During the residency phase, the artists worked with found and discarded materials, pushing them beyond their original function to create sculptural and mixed-media works that reflect Nigeria’s realities of consumption and environmental pressure.

For many of the artists, the residency is as much about process as it is about outcome. Sculptor Ibrahim Afegbua, known for his intricate use of binding wires and metal, describes the programme as a space to experiment, refine technique, and engage audiences in new ways. “This residency allows me to combine wire and metal to develop new forms and techniques,” he explains. “It also gives people the opportunity to see the possibilities within these materials and understand the process behind the work.”

That spirit of experimentation runs through the practices of all four artists. Mixed-media artist Seye Morakinyo works primarily with discarded fabrics and paper, cutting, layering, and moulding them to create depth and texture. His approach deliberately challenges conventional aesthetics, revealing how overlooked materials can be reconfigured into works of quiet complexity.

Internationally recognised artist Konboye Ebipade Eugene brings a deeply personal dimension to the exhibition. Using abandoned footwear as his primary material, Konboye stitches together stories of resilience, movement, and human experience. His innovative approach to eco-conscious art has previously drawn global attention, including features by Reuters and the BBC, and continues to inspire a new generation of sustainability-driven artists.

For sculptor Aliya Diseotu Victor, whose medium is sheet metal, the residency offers an opportunity to explore form, anatomy, and cultural heritage through recycled materials. Drawing inspiration from Ijaw traditions as well as human and animal structures, his works blur the boundaries between sculpture and installation, highlighting the aesthetic potential of industrial waste within contemporary spaces.

Beyond the individual practices, Recycling Matters II speaks to a broader socio-economic reality. Nigeria’s import-dependent economy and rapid patterns of consumption have contributed to mounting waste challenges. By transforming discarded materials into art, the exhibition repositions waste as a site of memory, resilience, and renewal, inviting audiences to rethink their relationship with everyday materials.

Reflecting on the partnership, Hammed Adebiyi, Senior Brand Manager, West and Central Africa (WACA), Edrington Portfolio, stated that The Macallan’s continued support is rooted in shared values of craftsmanship and long-term thinking. “We believe in patience, process, and purpose,” he says. “The residency creates room for thoughtful experimentation and mentorship, allowing artists to develop work that speaks meaningfully to sustainability and cultural depth.”

Curated as the public presentation of a completed residency, Recycling Matters II opens on February 7th, 2026 reflecting the role of art as a tool for social reflection and environmental awareness. In giving new life to materials once considered waste, the exhibition offers a compelling reminder that value is not fixed, it can be reimagined, reshaped, and renewed.