Steel with a Pulse: Matthew Ehizele’s ‘Udu Ematon’ at the National Museum

Title: Family, Steel, 2009

When you stand before a Matth Ehizele sculpture, the metal disappears. In its place, you are confronted by living silhouettes: fluid, commanding forms poised as if they are about to step right off their pedestals. This is the magic of Ehizele’s craft: he breathes a striking, mechanical grace into industrial waste and reclaimed steel, resurrecting discarded fragments into breathtaking, evocative monuments.

For over four decades, the master sculptor has looked at cold, rigid industrial plates and envisioned the warm, confident curve of a woman’s shoulder, the proud stance of a cultural icon, and the quiet dignity of figures carrying the heavy lineage of history. His work is a masterclass in contradiction, proving that the most unyielding materials can be taught to speak of womanhood, tradition, and the resilience of the human mind.

Edo Princess, Steel, 2015

This July, the contemporary art world will witness a landmark event. Ehizele is set to unveil a body of work in a highly anticipated solo exhibition titled Udu Ematon (The Heart of Steel), at the National Museum, Onikan, Lagos, Nigeria, on Saturday, July 18, 2026, at 12 noon. The exhibition runs until July 25, 2026, welcoming visitors daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Adding a profound emotional layer to the exhibition is its presenter: the legendary Nigerian painter, Duke Asidere. In a moving, full-circle tribute that bridges two generations of artistic mastery, Asidere affectionately refers to Ehizele simply as "My Teacher." This exhibition is more than a showcase; it is a public honouring of the mentor who helped shape one of Nigeria’s finest creative minds.

Matthew Ehizele (b. 1958) is a distinguished Nigerian sculptor whose practice explores the expressive and aesthetic possibilities of iron and steel, transforming rigid industrial materials into profound meditations on the human condition. Currently practising full-time from his studio in Benin City, his work is celebrated for its refined understanding of form, structure, and materiality, anchoring him as a pivotal figure in contemporary African sculpture.

Water Goddess, Steel, 2015

A distinguished graduate with a rigorous academic foundation, Ehizele received a National Diploma with Distinction from the Federal Polytechnic, Auchi, Edo State, in 1981, before earning a Bachelor of Arts with First Class Honours in Sculpture from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, in 1984. He subsequently obtained a Master of Fine Arts in Sculpture from the same institution in 1989, consolidating a formal background that has deeply informed both his studio practice and pedagogical career.

Beyond his studio practice, Ehizele has contributed significantly to art education in Nigeria, mentoring generations of emerging talent during his tenures as a lecturer at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, from 1986 to 2001, and later at the University of Benin from 2001 to 2023.

In 2014, he served as a Visiting Short-term Scholar in the Department of Visual and Performing Arts at Worcester State University, Massachusetts, USA. Over his illustrious career, his work has been featured in more than 25 group exhibitions globally, notably Accident and Design at the Brunei Gallery, School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London, in 2000.

Through Udu Ematon, Matthew Ehizele continues his lifelong investigation into the intersection of material, memory, and human experience, inviting viewers to contemplate resilience, beauty, and the enduring narratives embedded within form.

(Images courtesy of the artist, all rights reserved)

 By Udemma Chukwuma

Chkwuma is a freelance journalist. She contributes to The Nation Newspaper and The New Telegraph, tackling pressing issues and shedding light on untold stories. Her in-depth analysis of art and culture showcases her keen eye for detail and commitment to truth. She is the author of Left with Shadows, her debut book, published in 2020.