A Solo Exhibition of New Sculptural Works by Ugo Ahiakwo
Join us at G.A.S. Lagos on March 13th and 14th, 2025, for Indulgence Before Consequence, a solo exhibition of new sculptural works by Ugo Ahiakwo, completed during his six-week residency at G.A.S. Foundation, Lagos. Through an intuitive yet deliberate engagement with materials—layered fabrics, metals, and automotive paints—Ugo explores the tension between impulse and restraint, revealing the lasting imprint of choice. The exhibition reflects a deep preoccupation with the interplay of desire, cause and effect, and transformation, capturing the moments where action precedes reflection. The works serve as both a meditation and a record of these complexities, inviting viewers to consider the delicate balance between indulgence and consequence.
At its core, this body of work is a dialogue between the artist and his materials. Sometimes, he begins with a plan, but more often, he works intuitively: shaping, layering, and responding until meaning emerges. This process mirrors his understanding of life’s unpredictability, where actions unfold before reflection and transformation follows in their wake. The works serve as both a diary and a meditation on change, drawing from personal experiences, memory, and the inevitability of consequence. Some pieces reference biblical narratives of humility and redemption, while others reveal what lies beneath layered surfaces: concealed truths, fleeting moments of joy, or remnants of past struggles. The materials themselves explore fabric, fluid and worn, bearing the weight of touch and movement; metal, strong yet scarred, carrying the imprint of time and resilience; Automotive paint, with its industrial sheen, both conceals and exposes, preserving moments while erasing others. Together, they reinforce the work’s exploration of opposing extremes.
Ultimately, Indulgence Before Consequence considers the weight of choices and their lingering impact. It also acknowledges the possibility of forgiveness and renewal, recognizing that even in the aftermath of our decisions, transformation is always within reach.
Event Details
This event spans two days that require individual RSVPs. If you would like to attend both days kindly register separately.
Date: 13th - 14th March, 2025
Location: 9b, Hakeem Dickson Drive, off TF Kuboye Road, Oniru, Lagos
Day One
Date: Thursday, 13th March 2025
Time: 10:00am - 8:00pm
Artist Walkthrough: 6:00pm
This event is free however spaces are limited therefore it is essential to rsvp to secure your spot.
Day Two
Date: Friday, 14th March 2025
Time: 10:00am - 8:00pm
Closing Reception/Musical Performance: 7:30pm
This event is free however spaces are limited therefore it is essential to rsvp to secure your spot.
About the Artist
UGO AHIAKWO (b. 1998) is a Lagos-based sculptor and curator whose works are defined by edginess, dynamism, tactility, and refinement. Drawing on his knowledge of art and design, Ugo explores his curiosities and aspirations for a better future through his creative process. He approaches his materials as collaborators, stating, “I believe everything has a voice, and I strive to highlight the ones that strike a chord with me.” He studied fashion design at the Academy of Art University, San Francisco, and the School of the Arts Institute, Chicago, from 2015 to 2018. Ugo’s practice blends influences from design, architecture, and discarded objects, creating pieces that offer new life to overlooked materials.
Photo of Ugo Ahiakwo. Image courtesy of Jean Nahoua Raymond.
Ugo Ahiakwo’s residency was generously supported by the Tilga Art Fund.
