The Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art (YSMA), Pan-Atlantic University, is delighted to present Collecting Now II, opening on 11 October 2025 and running through 28 February 2026. This exhibition is the second chapter in YSMA’s ongoing series that explores the culture of art collecting in Nigeria, following the success of the inaugural Collecting Now in 2024.
At its heart, Collecting Now rests on the philosophy that collecting is not simply an act of ownership, but a form of cultural stewardship, an intimate yet public gesture of care that sustains artists, preserves heritage, and shapes how histories are remembered. Collectors are not merely keepers of objects but custodians of memory, mediators of taste, and patrons of the imagination. Through their choices, they inscribe personal experiences into broader cultural narratives, ensuring that Nigerian and African art continues to thrive and resonate across generations.
Collecting Now II gathers together the visions of six distinguished collectors: Tayo Odunsi, Bimpe Nkontchou, Ify Momah, Yemi Ogunbiyi, Nonso Okpala, and Olufemi Akinsanya. Their collections reveal a wide spectrum of approaches, from personal commissions and intergenerational dialogues to advocacy-driven acquisitions, diasporic narratives, and the preservation of traditional African art. Together, they form a living compendium of modern and contemporary Nigerian and African artistic practice, complemented by works that also speak across continental and diasporic boundaries.
With this sequel, YSMA warmly welcomes visitors into a space where art becomes both mirror and archive, reflecting the passions of individual collectors while preserving the shared heritage of our society. Through paintings, sculpture, photography, prints, and traditional forms, the exhibition offers not only visual pleasure but also intellectual provocation, asking us to consider the role of collecting in shaping the future of culture.
In presenting Collecting Now II, YSMA affirms its commitment to art education and cultural dialogue, extending an invitation to scholars, students, collectors, and the wider public alike. This is more than an exhibition, it is a conversation across time, taste, and generations, a testament to the enduring power of collecting as an act of legacy, advocacy and preservation.
Download Exhibition Catalogue : Collecting Now 2