Freshly Minted.
After visiting a couple art galleries including Omolayo Art Gallery, Mydrim Art Gallery, and the Thought Pyramid Art Centre perched around Lagos Island, Leonard and I decided to make Nimbus Art Gallery our next stop.
Thing is, it was a pretty tricky place to locate but with Google Maps at my fingertips, tricky became quite easy after a few clicks, upend twists and random turns.
Yes! We went on foot from Signature Beyond Art Gallery, another artistic edifice in Ikoyi featuring creative paintings, metalwork and a lush mix of Lagos aesthetics.
And now, here was Nimbus Art Gallery perched at 9, Maitama Sule street, off Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos right in front of us awaiting our gentle stares and illustrious wanderings.
“Whoa!” I proclaimed. It was spectacular and for someone who has always been in love with danfo aesthetics (The Yellow of Lagos), this was such a beautiful sight.
I took out my Samsung phone to film the location and then a husk baritone voice beckoned by, “hey, if you enter art gallery no go dey snap o.” It was an elderly man in his sixties wearing a bogus t-shirt and a pair of blue jeans. In his hands, he had about three paintings and with his help, we were going to get free permits (as usual) to explore the bowels of Nimbus Art Gallery.
‘Twas looking good and for a split second, I took it all in again. “The views are so mesmerising and epic that they could literally leave you dumbstruck!” I pondered.
Five Things I Loved About Nimbus Art Gallery
1. Lagos Aesthetics
Lagos is home to over 21 million people and being this populated for such a small state, hectic traffic congestion has become increasingly common during peak hours.
On some days, when I’m able to explore my city without the regular “hiccups” or “bumper-to-bumper” I include extra to-dos to my itinerary just in case…
Now, on entry to the Nimbus Art Gallery, a bright yellow gate welcomes you into this artistic space.
Again and above, the side panels of a danfo (common means of transportation in Lagos, Nigeria) accentuates the balustrades on the upper floor.
This certain “yellow” is consistent throughout the building in form of painting, graffiti or furniture and for Lagosians, it is a good reminder of the hustle and bustle that ensues in our city, day and night.
2. Fabric Artworks
The first place I learnt about the use of African fabrics for artistic purposes was the Nike Art Gallery (also on Lagos Island). And as for Nimbus, a lot of artworks were coated in colourful traditional attires including a standalone grand piano.
Artists used these materials to define faces, arms, legs and some other particular facial features like the nose, ears, mouth or eyes.
You won’t regret a tour of this artsy world, that I promise you.
3. Art-world meets Hospitality
Adjacent to the magnificent Nimbus Art Gallery lies a sixteen-room boutique hotel known as Bogobiri House. This “house” sits on two floors and hosts artworks, afrocentric rooms, a spa, stone bar and BRT roof top while indoors, furniture is designed to look naturalistic, that is, with carved or polished wood.
It is a beautiful and exciting place to spend time away from the hassle of Lagos with friends or loved ones plus you’ll have the opportunity to enrol for art classes. That’s totally FUN!
Staycation packages start at 100,000 Naira only.
4. Den of Nigerian Celebrities
It is always an amazing feeling to come across Nigerian celebrities occasionally even tho it’s just for two-and-a-half seconds pleasantries or Instagram-worthy selfies.
In May of 2021, Zlatan performed his track – Road to CDK at the gallery (see below) and before making enquiries, our tour guide made sure to mention that Nigerian artistes in particular made Nimbus their favourite spot and it felt good to y’know walk the paths of Davido, Wizkid, Burna Boy or the likes…
You should also know, although well-known musicians may casually visit for a video shoot, art musing, tour or performance, Nimbus Art Gallery also hosts her own live music shows featuring smaller artistes every night.
5. Rustic Style
Beyond the alluring “Lagos character” that characterized Nimbus Art Gallery, I think what is yet more intriguing about this top-notch destination is its unique traditional or vernacular style of architecture.
This rustic look is achieved through skillfully use of crafted wood for balustrades, columns, doors, ceilings and furniture I must mention.
The gallery gives off a pleasing and homely feel quite similar to the premise of Nike Art Gallery located in Osogbo, Osun state.
The Wrap Up:
Leonard and I explored the Nimbus Art Gallery in January of 2020, way before Coronavirus affected travel and tourism in Nigeria and other parts of the world and way before I won the Afrobloggers Awards for Tourism and Culture but you know what?
I believe what jeered me to write this article was a movie I watched sometime in March 2021, Who’s The Boss. The movie starring Funke Akindele, Segun Arinze and Sharon Ooja had a scene where the main character shared a meal with her friend at Nimbus.
So, will I be visiting the Nimbus Art Gallery again? Yes! Can I spend a whole day at this art facility? Oh yes! Should I sleepover at Bogobiri House after my tour of the gallery? Oh definitely yes!
Nimbus Art Gallery is a beautiful and charming location for art aficionados, indigenous people and expats from around the world. I hope you do visit sometime.
Over to you, what is your favourite thing about Nimbus Art Gallery? Kindly leave your thoughts in the comments. Thanks in Advance.
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Photos from Nimbus Art Gallery.
ERICOTRIPS 
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