My Father's Shadow

As we celebrate Father’s Day this June, we’re reflecting on the stories passed between generations through art, film, and memory.

Last week, Nigerian cinema reached a historic milestone as My Father’s Shadow, directed by Akinola Davies Jr., became the first Nigerian film to premiere in the Un Certain Regard section at the Cannes Film Festival. The film received a Special Mention for the Caméra d’Or, an award honouring the best first feature across all festival sections.

Set in 1993 Lagos during a moment of political upheaval, My Father’s Shadow follows two brothers reconnecting with their estranged father for a single, life-shifting day. It’s a haunting, visually rich exploration of fatherhood, identity, and inherited silences.

These same themes echo in the work of Matosan Okoh, a talented artist on artdey whose introspective portraits and layered textures carry the quiet weight of lineage. Matosan’s father, renowned Nigerian artist Nelson Okoh, has long been celebrated for his figurative works. Though Matosan charts his path, you can feel the artistic DNA, a generational echo in colour, form, and thought. 

Here’s to legacies - painted, performed, and proudly passed down.

P.S. Father’s Day is around the corner. Explore the Artdey collection and find something thoughtful for the man who probably still thinks he taught you everything you know. 😉

https://artdey.com