SOTO Gallery, a Lagos-based art space renowned for its dedication to community-centered contemporary art, made a striking debut at ART SG 2025, Asia’s largest and most prestigious art fair.
Held from January 17–19 at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore, the gallery showcased works by two acclaimed Nigerian artists, Uchay Joel Chima and Johnson Uwadinma, offering a profound exploration of identity, memory, and social justice through their distinct practices.
The presentation underscored the depth and dynamism of contemporary African art, positioning it as a critical voice in today’s global cultural discourse. Uchay Joel Chima captivated audiences with his textured mixed-media works crafted from unconventional materials such as string, wax, sand, and found objects. His art weaves together memory, imagination, and social commentary, transforming everyday materials into evocative masterpieces that probe the intersections of social memory, human fragility, as well as environmental consciousness.
Johnson Uwadinma, meanwhile, presented a layered exploration of history, identity, and coexistence. His mixed-media works, combining oil, acrylic, and collage, employ bold geometric forms and vibrant palettes to examine Nigeria’s socio-political landscape. Through his pieces, Uwadinma reflects on the stories etched into the human experience, inviting viewers to reconsider what it means to belong—to a place, a time, and to each other. His work speaks to the complexities of urban life, the weight of history, and the shared marks of culture and society.
ART SG, Southeast Asia’s premier contemporary art fair since 2023, returned in 2025 during Singapore Art Week with a diverse line-up of galleries, large-scale installations, and performances. This year’s edition bridged regional and global art, fostering innovation, cultural dialogue, and cross-border connections.
SOTO Gallery’s debut at ART SG was a pivotal moment for African representation, amplifying voices from the continent and expanding global conversations around contemporary art.
