Art Exhibition (Painting the Change)

On the 20th of March 2026, the Rooted Rising Initiative hosted an art exhibition that brought together a diverse audience, students, academics, activists, and community members. This space allowed us to showcase the artworks from the live painting session and helped people engage directly with the complete stories on the canvases. Participants spent time reflecting on the realities being presented. We observed that the artworks created an emotional connection that data and reports often fail to achieve.

Artivism

We are all artists

Make ups, hair styles, etc

We show our autonomy even while in community

We speak through art …

Through lines

Through verses

Through splashes

Sometimes with our mouths shut

The earth is our canvass

Awareness

Consciousness

Makes situations understandable, relatable …not dry and abstract

Imaginations

Empowerment

Capturing and sharing unjust incidents

Healing

Connecting… with stories…building cooperation

Painting Change is a highly creative expression

The diversity of ideas by the artists show the inbuilt strength in the art field

Artivism is Deliberate.

Focused

Hard hitting

Subtle

Fun

It is a

Call for Action

- Dr. Nnimmo Bassey