Fusing Art with Fine Dining at ARAMI’s Inaugural Show

Yinka Olatunbosun

Delightful rooftop views, palette pleasures and a chance for connections await a visitor at ARAMI, a home of fine dining in Lekki, Lagos. The experience was witnessed recently by a handful of journalists at the opening of its inaugural exhibition curated by SMO Contemporary Art which showcases works of 15 contemporary artists from Nigeria, Uganda, Cameroon, South Africa and the diaspora. This latest offering in Lagos sits at an intersection of fine dining and visual art. Titled “Celebration,” this show heightens the sensory experience with a range of works in textiles, wood, metal, mixed media as well as rare works from a private collection.

Drawing upon the need to recharge and reflect in a fast-paced city, this collection boasts of works that provoke questions, raise awareness on societal crises, celebrate cultural heritage and appeal to humanity. From the masters to the mid-career artists, the depth of ingenuity is not just seen from the diverse works but in the embedded messages demanding contemplation and introspection.

This collaboration is not the first of its kind for SMO Contemporary Art. Atypical in structure, SMO has a history of collaborating with luxury and fine dining spots in Lagos. From Temple Muse to Wheatbaker, SMO has cultivated a followership for Nigerian and indeed African arts by leveraging on the spaces to draw in new audiences for the visual artists.

“ARAMI is one family that has been supporting the artists for many years,” Sandra Mbanefo-Obiago revealed. She added that most international visitors and business travellers hardly have the time to move around Lagos to savour the beauty of the cultural life.

On that premise, “Celebration” provides an opportunity for these visitors to soak in the culture through its contemporary artforms as expressed by Nathalie Djokou Kassi, Adeniyi Adewole, Ayoola Gbolahan, Somi Nwandu, Samuel Nnorom, Geoffrey Mukasa, Chika Idu, Christopher Samuel Idowu, Uchay Joel Chima, T. Badru, Olawale da Silva and Alex Nwokolo.

“We are convinced that these types of collaborations ensure we increase art appreciation across diverse publics by presenting exceptional works by master artists and rising talent within beautifully designed, secure and well-managed spaces for everyone to enjoy,” she added.

For the CEO, L’Ori Hospitality group, Valentine Nwandu, this collaboration runs deep into ancestral roots.

“ARAMI is a family-owned legacy project which is committed to bringing bespoke gastronomic experiences to a growing population of discerning foodies,” he remarked. “Architectural interiors were designed by my wife and son and our hospitality training and media departments are managed by our daughter Victoria.”