French Riviera-inspired La Petite Maison (LPM) partnered with Pearl Lam Galleries for a restaurant exhibition, Blooming Shields, showcasing Nigerian artist Ayobola Kekere-Ekun during Art Basel Hong Kong. Celebrating shared joys of food, art, and culture, the exhibition ran from the 17th of March until the 16th of April at LPM’s Mediterranean-style rendezvous at H Queen’s, Central.
Kekere-Ekun’s bespoke exhibition employed her signature mixed media quilling technique and playful use of colour. The works portray nature as a protector, contrasting vulnerable things like flowers and butterflies as shields. The artworks are from her series titled Real Housewives of Old Oyo, a vibrant dialogue between traditional mythology and the politics of gender, power and representation in contemporary Nigeria.
To complement the exhibition, LPM crafted a limited-time cocktail and dessert pairing inspired by the artworks. The dessert, Rum Baba, Strawberry and Coconut Cream, priced at HK$138, embodied the zestful spirit of the exhibition through its colourful presentation and creative inspiration. Plated with bright strawberry coulis and dollops of whipped cream, it echoed Kekere-Ekun’s dynamic African hues, while capturing the artistic essence of LPM’s celebration of “joie de vivre”.
LPM’s partnership with Pearl Lam Galleries aligns with a deep-rooted passion for art and creativity ingrained in the brand’s DNA as previously seen in the brand’s collaboration with the gallery at Art Basel Miami Beach, which was a huge success. Nicolas Budzynski, CEO of La Petit Maison had this to say, “This latest initiative allows us to extend the creativity we harness in our food and drinks, intersecting art and culture with the restaurant experience as Hong Kong celebrates art during Art Basel.”
Pearl Lam, Founder of Pearl Lam Galleries, added, “Marrying art and hospitality highlights how both play a central role in creating memorable experiences and meaningful connections.” LPM’s passion for intersecting art and culture with the dining experience extends from its Belle Epoque-inspired artworks that grace the restaurant walls to its “Recipes for Our Friends” cocktail menu—a tribute to the artist, writer and bon vivant Jean Cocteau.
Born in 1993 in Lagos, Ayobola Kekere-Ekun obtained a BA (Hons) in visual arts from the University of Lagos, Akoka, Nigeria in 2013. She then graduated with an MA (Hons) in graphic design at the same university in 2016. Currently, she is pursuing a PhD in art and design at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa.
Kekere-Ekun works predominantly with a technique known as quilling, in which strips of paper are individually shaped to create forms. Her work is heavily informed by personal experiences and observations. She is particularly interested in subjects connected to gender, mythology, memory and trauma.
The artist’s first solo exhibition, Resilient Lines (2019) at Rele Gallery, was supported by a grant awarded by the Dean Collection, a contemporary art collection created by Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz (Kasseem Dean). Alongside various solo and group exhibitions, Kekere-Ekun has had works presented in Latitudes Art Fair Johannesburg, Arte Fiera, Bologna, and SCOPE Miami Beach. Kekere-Ekun was also a recipient of the ABSA L’Atelier Award in 2021.
