Emissaries brings together the works of Reuben Ugbine, Francis Denedo, Eguasa Omodanwmen, Moses Afeso, Ben Osawe, Emmanuel Ekokotu, and others. Each work serves as an emissary, a messenger from the natural world, urging us to recognize the deep interconnectedness between humanity and the environment.

Through these artists’ hands, materials from nature are transformed into evocative forms that speak to the dynamic forces of creation and decay, growth and resilience. Each work serves as an emissary, a messenger from the natural world, urging us to recognize the deep interconnectedness between humanity and the environment. Wood, once part of ancient forests, and metal, drawn from the depths of the earth, emergein this exhibition as vessels of nature’s latent strength. The bronze sculpture Ozomo by Ben Osawe captures the endurance of heritage and history, embodying an ancient vitality through the rich texture and patina of its surface. Francis Denedo’s Resilient speaks to the human spirit’s tenacity mirrored in the unyielding strength of metal, while Emmanuel Ekokotu’s Rooted Strength reminds us of the grounding power of nature, channeling the endurance of roots from the earth itself through his wood and metal work. In Moses Afeso’s marble piece, Lean on Me, we encounter the harmony of support and unity, where nature becomes both foundation and support. Each work in Emissaries invites contemplation on nature’s capabilities, not as a mere setting for human endeavor but as a force capable of creation and reclamation, nurturing and, when necessary, exerting its own agency to restore balance. Together, these sculptures serve as a testament to the artists’ role as interpreters and messengers. In drawing from the earth, each sculptor brings forth new meaning, reimagining the natural materials to explore themes of strength, endurance, and interconnectedness. The exhibition speaks to the delicate balance between human influence and the autonomy of nature, reminding us that, while we shape the world around us, we are in turn shaped by it.