Nigerian‑British multidisciplinary artist [Orry Shenjobi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orry_Shenjobi) is turning [New Culture Studios](https://newculturestudios.org) in Ibadan into an immersive exhibition called ‘Àdúrà Lẹ́rẹ̀’, which runs from 12 November 2026 to 12 May 2027 and blends [Yoruba](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoruba_people) and Benin carving traditions with contemporary design in a site‑specific Bamboo Dome that also references Catholic imagery.
The project, titled ‘Àdúrà Lẹ́rẹ̀’ (Yoruba for “there is reward in prayer”), occupies a bamboo‑framed dome inspired by Ibadan’s Dominican Chapel. It features carving, sculpture, furniture, stained‑glass, photography, sound and scent, and involves traditional carvers from Benin and Ibadan. Shenjobi says, “As my practice has developed, I have become increasingly interested in what we inherit, what we preserve and what we choose to build from it.”
**What does the exhibition explore?**
The installation invites visitors to contemplate how inherited beliefs, materials and craft techniques can acquire fresh meanings in today’s context. By presenting prayer‑related motifs alongside secular design elements, the work underscores that cultural memory can be both personal and collective.
**How was the project conceived?**
‘Àdúrà Lẹ́rẹ̀’ emerged from Shenjobi’s residency at the studios in February 2026, during which archival research into Ibadan’s history informed the exhibition’s narrative. The venue itself was founded by artist [Demas Nwoko](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demas_Nwoko), a key figure of the historic Mbari Club, and continues to serve as a hub for artistic exchange.
**Who curated the programme?**
The exhibition is curated by Anthony Ogochukwu Agbapuonwu, with Tobi Alexandra Falade acting as assistant curator. Their curatorial approach emphasizes community participation, education, and collaborative creation.
**How does the exhibition engage the community?**
Beyond the installation, the programme includes artist talks, readings, book launches, workshops and film screenings, fostering dialogue between creators, scholars and the public. Traditional artisans, writers, musicians and curators work alongside Shenjobi, reinforcing the project’s commitment to sustainability and cultural continuity.
In summary, ‘Àdúrà Lẹ́rẹ̀’ serves as both a tribute to inherited craft knowledge and an experimental platform for re‑imagining that knowledge in contemporary practice. By situating age‑old Nigerian craftsmanship within an immersive, modern environment, the exhibition argues that preservation is not about static replication but about active, collaborative evolution.