Emmanuel Solate and the Art of Cultural Revolution

By Ken Gbados.

Emmanuel Solate is not just another name in Nigeria’s growing cultural and artistic landscape; he is a force of creative disruption, a visionary carving a path where art, culture, and storytelling collide to redefine national identity. At a time when globalization threatens to homogenize indigenous traditions, Solate stands at the frontline, wielding the power of artistic expression to reassert Nigeria’s cultural authority.

As CEO of Showlate Entertainment Limited, he has cemented his reputation as a filmmaker, curator, and cultural entrepreneur dedicated to amplifying the Nigerian story. His work is not just about entertainment—it is about preserving history, shaping narratives, and ensuring that the rich heritage of Nigeria is neither lost nor diluted in the tides of modernity.

The Cultural Canvas Arts and Festival Exhibition, scheduled to take place on March 8, 2025, at the FCT Pavilion and Events Centre in Abuja, is his latest and most ambitious effort yet. Themed “Preserving Nigeria’s Cultural Heritage: Leveraging Art and Creativity for Global Impact,” the festival is more than just an exhibition; it is a statement, a challenge to Nigerians to own their cultural narrative and to the world to recognize the depth of African creativity beyond the commercialized mainstream.

The event promises to be a convergence of artistic disciplines, with paintings, sculptures, photography, digital art, and even film screenings serving as mediums through which artists communicate the complexity of the Nigerian experience. More than just an aesthetic display, it will be a space for dialogue, where cultural custodians, scholars, and creatives will engage in conversations about art’s role in shaping societies and economies.

At the heart of this movement is a man who understands that art is not merely for admiration—it is a vessel of history and a tool for revolution. Solate has long championed the belief that artists are the true historians, the custodians of identity who, through their work, document the triumphs and tribulations of a people. But in Nigeria, the task of cultural preservation is a battle waged on multiple fronts.

Artists are not just fighting against the erasure of traditions but also against economic instability, lack of institutional support, and the struggle for visibility in a world that often underrepresents African narratives. Solate knows these challenges firsthand, and rather than lamenting them, he is building solutions. Through initiatives like the Cultural Canvas Arts and Festival Exhibition, he is creating platforms that not only celebrate creativity but also provide artists with tangible economic and networking opportunities.

His literary contributions further demonstrate his deep commitment to cultural discourse. In his article “Embracing the Thunder: A Global Journey Through the 2024 World Ṣàngó Festival,” Solate provides a masterful exploration of how cultural festivals serve as powerful tools of unity and preservation. His writing, laced with evocative imagery and sharp analysis, presents culture as a living, breathing entity that must be nurtured and protected. His voice is not that of an outsider reporting on cultural phenomena—it is the voice of someone embedded in the very fabric of the narrative, speaking as both a documentarian and a participant.

In a media landscape often dominated by Western perspectives on African culture, Solate’s work stands out as a necessary counter-narrative. Nigeria’s creative industry has long suffered from external misrepresentations that either exoticize or diminish its cultural expressions. Through his films, writings, and exhibitions, he is reclaiming the narrative, ensuring that Nigerian stories are told authentically and by those who live them.

But even as the cultural sector flourishes, he remains acutely aware of the obstacles that still need to be dismantled. There are economic barriers, infrastructural deficiencies, and the ever-present challenge of sustaining interest in indigenous art forms in a digital age that prioritizes instant gratification over deep cultural engagement. Yet, in the face of these adversities, he remains steadfast in his mission.

Speaking on the vision behind Cultural Canvas, In a recent interview, he asserts, “Culture is more than tradition; it is a living, evolving force that defines our identity and shapes our future. With Cultural Canvas, we are not just preserving the past—we are reinventing our cultural narrative for a global audience while ensuring that our artists and creatives have the recognition and economic empowerment they deserve.” His words encapsulate a philosophy that many cultural advocates share but few have the platform or influence to execute.

The upcoming exhibition is not just a festival; it is a blueprint for how Nigeria’s cultural sector can be structured for global competitiveness. By bringing together artists, filmmakers, curators, scholars, and investors, Solate is demonstrating that art can be both a passion and an industry, a means of cultural expression and a vehicle for economic transformation. Nigeria’s creative exports, from Nollywood to Afrobeats, have already proven their global appeal, but the fine arts, literature, and cultural exhibitions are yet to receive the same level of international recognition. Through Cultural Canvas, Solate is taking a decisive step toward changing that, ensuring that Nigerian artistry is not just consumed but also respected on the world stage.

Nigeria’s artistic evolution is at a crucial juncture, where cultural preservation and global integration must go hand in hand. The future of its heritage depends on visionaries like Emmanuel Solate, who understand that art is not a relic of the past but a beacon for the future. The Cultural Canvas Arts and Festival Exhibition is set to be a defining moment in this journey, an event that will not only showcase the richness of Nigerian creativity but also ignite a renewed consciousness about the importance of storytelling, representation, and legacy. As the countdown to March 8, 2025, begins, one thing is certain: the world is about to witness a cultural renaissance, and at the helm of it is a man who refuses to let Nigeria’s artistic legacy fade into obscurity.

Ken Gbados is a Media Relations, and Publicity Management Strategist