The Macallan, a Scottish whisky brand, is championing the fusion of craftsmanship, storytelling, and sustainability in the Nigerian art ecosystem.

“Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do at The Macallan, shaping our distillation process, packaging innovations, and community initiatives,” Idorenyin Emmanson, Brand Manager, Edrington Portfolio, Nigeria, stated during the recent two-day art exhibition held in Lagos.

During the exhibition, each artist explored themes of vulnerability, identity, loyalty, and self-worth, inviting guests to connect with their narratives.

The art exhibition showcases visual art and emotional expression that offers guests a rich cultural experience steeped in heritage and innovation. “We are proud to support creative expressions that align with our values of legacy, craftsmanship, and purpose-driven storytelling,” Emmanson stated.

According to him, The Macallan has embedded eco-conscious initiatives across its operations and has long been recognised as a pioneer in sustainable practices within the whisky industry. With a bold vision to achieve net-zero emissions by 2045 and reduce carbon emissions by 50 percent by 2030.

The sustainability ethos found new expression through art with Frederick Idele’s ‘We Them Boys’ series featuring symbolic stick-figure illustrations layered with African symbols and handwritten reflections.

“When we say we’re fine, there’s often more behind the smile. My art exposes those hidden layers, what we feel but don’t always say,” Idele stated.

Atinuke Badmus, another artist focused on male vulnerability and emotional resilience, drawing from personal experiences with her father, brothers, and close friends. “Behind those masks, they’re going through a lot. But they can’t share. They just try to fix things. This work is about giving them that support,” she stated.

Danguduro Adeniyi, whose works were created entirely in the pointillism style using thousands of layered dots, reflected on the power of collective support. “The piece is titled ‘Helping Hand’, which means ‘we rise by lifting each other’. If you look through the work, you will see some African motifs and the lines crossing the artwork showing their bond, it’s about unity, culture, and the beauty of helping one another grow.”

David Olatoye, disclosed that he took a more introspective approach, with sketches that explored longing and emotional uncertainty. “I infuse fabric and other materials into my work. For instance, I started infusing stained glass into my work as a way of showing my belief in God. I represent my life and belief in my works.”