The Macallan Enhances Cultural Significance Through Support for Emerging African Artists

The Macallan, renowned for its single-malt Scotch whisky, is enhancing its cultural relevance by partnering with emerging African artists through the Recycling Matters II residency and exhibition at Alexis Galleries.

The Recycling Matters II residency has convened four of Nigeria's most talented contemporary artists: Konboye Ebipade Eugene, Seye Morakinyo, Aliya Diseotu Victor, and Ibrahim Afegbua. During this intensive creative engagement, these artists have successfully transformed discarded materials—ranging from rubber and scrap metal to remnants of fabric and binding wires—into valuable contemporary art pieces.

The exhibition, which kicked off with a private viewing on February 7, 2026, at Alexis Galleries in Lagos, attracted artists, collectors, cultural enthusiasts, and media representatives, celebrating art that reinterprets waste, promotes sustainability, and showcases contemporary African expressions.

For The Macallan, this partnership aligns seamlessly with the brand’s ethos. The distillery's luxurious whiskies are crafted through patience and the careful selection of top-quality oak casks, similar to how the artists of Recycling Matters II meticulously distill waste into works of significant aesthetic and social importance.

Hammed Adebiyi, Senior Brand Manager for the West and Central Africa (WACA) region at Edrington, remarked on the collaboration: “At The Macallan, we believe that true mastery is a journey, not a destination. Our collaboration with Alexis Galleries is built on shared values of patience, process, and purpose. By supporting these four incredible artists, we aren’t just celebrating art; we are investing in a sustainable future where craftsmanship and environmental stewardship go hand-in-hand. Their ability to take the 'forgotten' and turn it into the 'extraordinary' mirrors our own pursuit of excellence.”

Patty Chidiac-Mastrogiannis, Founder of Alexis Galleries, highlighted the collaboration's importance: “The Macallan’s support allows us to provide a sanctuary for artists to push their creative boundaries. Recycling Matters II is a social intervention; it challenges viewers to rethink their relationship with consumption and waste. With a partner like The Macallan, we can elevate these crucial conversations to a global stage.”

Participating artists have described the residency as a vital space for artistic growth, community interaction, and material experimentation. Sculptor Ibrahim Afegbua, who works with binding wires and cut pipes, shared, “This residency gave me the opportunity to experiment with wire and metal in ways that introduced new techniques and forms. It also allows audiences to witness the possibilities within these materials and understand the process, rhythm, and storytelling that shape my work.”

Seye Morakinyo, a mixed-media artist dedicated to discarded fabrics and paper, views the residency as a chance to expand his creative horizons. His detailed process of cutting, layering, and molding these found objects is a conscious act of upcycling that reveals new textures and meanings in often-overlooked materials.

Konboye Ebipade Eugene, known globally for weaving discarded footwear into intricate, stitched compositions, brings a practice rooted in human resilience and experiences. His work has garnered attention from major media outlets like Reuters and the BBC, demonstrating the social and emotional narratives that waste materials can convey.

For sculptor Aliya Diseotu Victor, the residency serves as a platform to explore cultural heritage, anatomy, and spatial dynamics using sheet metal. Drawing inspiration from Ijaw traditions, Victor’s art reflects the aesthetic and environmental potential of reclaimed metal.

The Recycling Matters II exhibition remains open to the public until February 21, 2026, from 10 AM to 6 PM at Alexis Galleries, Victoria Island, Lagos. Visitors will have the chance to experience the artists' final works and learn about their creative journeys from the street to the gallery.