In celebration of Absa L’Atelier’s 40th anniversary, the Nigerian-born contemporary artist unveils a deeply personal solo exhibition at the historic Association for Visual Arts (AVA) Gallery.
There is a captivating quietude that settles over an art gallery when a master storyteller unveils a new chapter. On 5 August 2026, the historic Association for Visual Arts (AVA) Gallery in Cape Town became the sanctuary for one such moment, as Dr. Ayobola Kekere-Ekun—the acclaimed 2021 Absa L’Atelier Art Ambassador—returned to South Africa with her compelling new solo exhibition, ‘Terrains of Memory’.
Known globally for her intricate, visually seamless, and emotionally charged textile and folded works, the Lagos-born artist has built a career defined by narrative depth and structural precision. From her debut at Rele Gallery in Lagos back in 2016 to catching the attention of international cultural icons like Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz, Dr. Kekere-Ekun’s trajectory has been nothing short of extraordinary.
Her return to South Africa under the auspices of Absa L’Atelier Art and the South African National Association for the Visual Arts (SANAVA) marks a poignant milestone—both for her evolving practice and for the continent’s artistic landscape.
The Fabric of Experience: Medium as Metaphor
At the core of ‘Terrains of Memory’ is Dr. Kekere-Ekun’s creative alter ego, “Zak”, a persona through which she navigates complex personal histories, trauma, growth, and self-invention.
Rather than working on flat canvas, she manipulates, folds, and layers fabric into textured topographies. Each crease and contour becomes a physical manifestation of emotion—holding the quiet weight of memories, grief, desire, and resilience.
“In these Zak pieces, fabric and fold become a way of thinking through growth, not as a clear departure from pain, but as a more complicated process of living with what has shaped me while still becoming something outside of it,” reflects Dr. Kekere-Ekun.
Vulnerability as a Collective Memoir
While ‘Terrains of Memory’ originates from a deeply intimate space, its resonance inside the AVA Gallery has proven universally relatable. At the opening night, the artist admitted to feeling an unexpected sense of exposure—a vulnerability that quickly transformed into meaningful dialogue with gallery visitors.
“I actually feel quite vulnerable, which I did not expect,” shared Dr. Kekere-Ekun. “From conversations I have had with people who have seen the show, they seem to really understand and relate to the themes I was trying to explore in a deeply personal way. I think the show is morphing into a bit of a collective memoir, one viewing at a time.”
This transformative dialogue is precisely what makes her work so potent: it invites the viewer to bring their own lived experiences to the piece, turning individual introspection into a shared human experience.
Absa L’Atelier: 40 Years of Elevating African Genius
The timing of ‘Terrains of Memory’ carries historic weight. The exhibition arrives as Absa L’Atelier Art celebrates four decades of championing visual artists across the African continent—opening doors, fostering international exposure, and funding transformative careers.
Reflecting on her journey, this exhibition marks Dr. Kekere-Ekun’s second major showcase with Absa L’Atelier, following her joint 2022 exhibition, “Refuge: an uncommon home”, at the Absa Gallery in Johannesburg.
“Dr. Ayobola’s return with ‘Terrains of Memory’ comes at a very opportune moment as Absa L’Atelier Art celebrates 40 years of supporting artists to tell stories that shift society,” notes Dr. Paul Bayliss, Senior Art and Museum Curator at Absa Group.
“What Dr. Ayobola has done with this exhibition is show art lovers that no emotion is too big or too complex to hold to yourself. If these emotions are not expressed, they threaten our existence as we know it. We are immensely proud of Dr. Ayobola and cannot wait to see what she does next.”
‘Terrains of Memory’ also sets the stage for the highly anticipated announcement of the 2026 Absa L’Atelier Art Ambassadors, taking place at the Absa L’Atelier Art and Lifestyle Fair on 10 October 2026.
Plan Your Visit
Housed within Cape Town’s oldest non-profit art space, the Association for Visual Arts (AVA) Gallery, ‘Terrains of Memory’ stands as a defining highlight of the 2026 cultural calendar.
Exhibition:Terrains of Memory by Dr. Ayobola Kekere-Ekun
Venue: Association for Visual Arts (AVA) Gallery, 35 Church Street, Cape Town
