“Pneumacity Lagos” stands as a veritable artistic ode, beginning an unprecedented dialogue between art and urban resilience. This bold exhibition, orchestrated by Inês Valle and brought to life by visionary Nigerian artist Andrew Esiebo, offers an immersion into the fascinating world of second-life tires, transformed into symbols of hope and sustainability in the heart of Lagos. Until November 18, 2025, at the LSVA headquarters, a sensory journey awaits the public from all over the world to redefine their perspective on recycling and creativity, while celebrating the vibrant spirit of this dynamic metropolis.
Andrew Esiebo, visual artist and storyteller through images, explores a variety of themes in his work, including sexuality, soccer, popular culture, urbanism, migration, religion and spirituality. His commitment to social issues has led him to collaborate with numerous institutions, including King’s College London, the University of Padua in Italy, the Photographers Gallery in London, as well as organizations such as ActionAid, WHO, UNICEF and Women for Women.
“Pneumacity Lagos”, this unusual exhibition transcends the conventional boundaries of art galleries, turning the street into a veritable space for artistic expression. By anchoring itself at the heart of Lagos’ communities and educational institutions, this innovative exhibition forges an intimate link between the world of recycled tires and the everyday lives of local residents. The far-reaching exhibition takes over several emblematic public sites, including vulcanization workshops in Mushin, Victoria Island, Ikeja, Sabo-Yaba, Surulere, Suru-Alaba and Agboju-Amuwu.
“Pneumacity Lagos” offers a new impetus to art and engages the local population in a dynamic conversation. As the project’s first public installation, the presentation moves from the city’s vibrant center to the far reaches of the continent, harmoniously combining art and social science, enabling communities to reclaim their access to contemporary art. Part of the ambitious “Pneuma-city” project, a three-year initiative that fuses engineering, social sciences and contemporary art, “Pneumacity Lagos” addresses the global issue of used tires, a global environmental challenge that visibly dominates the African urban landscape. Focusing on the megacity of Lagos, this bold project, led by Dr David Garbin of the University of Kent and supported by the British Academy, explores the multifaceted impact of used tires on road ecology, while examining the urban economies of tire repair and reuse.
The project aims to promote social and technical solutions to create more sustainable urban environments, which in turn improve the well-being of workers and residents. This ambitious project is based on close collaboration with prestigious universities around the world, such as the University of Lagos, the University of Toronto and the Université Mohammed VI Polytechnique in Morocco. A synergy that redefines the way we think about our environment and the role of art in the search for sustainable solutions.
Andrew Esiebo’s work has been published in prestigious media, including books, magazines and websites such as The New York Times, National Geographic, Washington Post, Courrier International, Le Point, Le Monde-M, Financial Times, Time Out Nigeria, CNN African Voices and Al Jazeera. His work has been widely exhibited at international events, including the São Paulo Biennale in Brazil, the Cuvée de la Biennale in Linz, Austria, the Quai Photo Biennales in France, the Dakar Biennale in Senegal, the Guangzhou Triennale in Beijing, the Chobi Mela V Photo Festival in Bangladesh, the Havana Biennale in Cuba, the Festival Photo d’Arles in France, the Kent University Museum in the USA, the National Football Museum in the UK, the Lagos Photo Festival and the Tate Modern in the UK. His work can be found in many private and public collections, including the Quai Branly Museum, Arts in US Embassies, the Museum for Fine Art in Houston, the Walther Collection, the Sina Jina Collection and the Harry David Art Collection.
Embark on this incredible artistic and intellectual journey with “Pneumacity Lagos”, which challenges conventional wisdom, inspires change and highlights the crucial importance of tires in urban life.
