Visual artist and storyteller Ras k’H’atana is set to hold a solo art exhibition, M.A.D., meaning Motivational, Authentic and Profondeur (Depth), on Saturday, June 28, 2025, at The New Tomatoes Pub & Grill, Gwarinpa, Abuja. More than just an art event, M.A.D. expresses a deeply personal and transformational voyage across West Africa.
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Ras’ journey, which spanned Nigeria, Benin Republic, Togo, and Burkina Faso, served as the canvas on which the ideas and emotions of this project were painted.
“The inspiration for M.A.D. came from that road trip,” Ras shares. “Every town, every face, every conversation added a stroke to the story I wanted to tell.”
The theme of the exhibition “M.A.D.” reflects the exhibition’s soul: Motivational, inspired by the grit and resilience of everyday people; Authentic, rooted in original, personal expression; and Profondeur (Depth), representing the emotional and cultural richness embedded in each work.
Comprising 63 digital artworks handpicked from over 239 original works, the exhibition showcases a range of subjects and visual interpretations, all created using a blend of traditional sketches enhanced with digital tools.
“Each work has a story. Each line and shape is deliberate,” says Ras. “The digital medium gave me the flexibility to capture raw human experiences and refine them without losing their soul.”
One particularly compelling piece, “Mama of All,” captures the strength of African women. It depicts a woman riding a bicycle with a child on her back, another seated behind her, and goods balanced on her head—a very common sight across many West African cities.
“I saw women doing this every day in Burkina Faso,” Ras recalls. “It was both humbling and inspiring to see their determination and balance, literally and metaphorically,” he said.
“Sometimes people see things I didn’t even realise were in the work. That’s the beauty of art—it meets everyone where they are,” he said.
“Viewers are welcome to interact, ask questions, and even share what they see or feel in the work. I want it to be a two-way conversation,” he added.
Ras’ works have previously been featured in shows in Cotonou, Lomé, and Porto-Novo. There’s an upcoming exhibition in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, and long-term plans to tour other Nigerian cities, including Port Harcourt, Benin City, and Jos. However, his focus, for now, remains on honouring the cities that inspired the art in the first place—places that represent the soul of the M.A.D. project.
For young and emerging artists, Ras advises them, saying, “Stay motivated no matter your circumstances. Let your environment and experiences fuel your creativity, not hinder it. Be authentic—it’s the only way to truly last in this field. And most importantly, don’t be afraid to go deep, even if it means pulling away from the noise for a while.”
Itsekiri by tribe and originally known as Toritseju Obaigbo Oritsebinone, Ras k’H’atana says, “Art is not just expression—it is connection, memory, and meaning.
The exhibition is open to members of the public, seasoned art lovers and curious minds. Rari hopes this inclusivity will spark meaningful exchanges, especially since many of the pieces are abstract and open to interpretation.
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