Ibadan Raised, NYC Made is a love letter between two cities. Opening September 11 in New York, CEOJAY’s debut brings together photography, short film, set design and a signature tracksuit to show how people carry heritage into new futures.
At its heart, the exhibition is a love letter: to the cadence of a city that raised him, and to another that sharpened his craft. It draws on the everyday rituals of Ibadan; market calls, school colours, family language and refracts them through New York’s grit and speed. The result is a room-scale narrative where visuals, sound and texture work like chapters of the same story.
To attend, RSVP here.
A key work is the “Ibadan Raised, NYC Made” tracksuit, designed with Akama and Orisha Temi. “The green and yellow colourway is a reference to my school AFCS (Air Force Comprehensive School) school team colourway that earned the tracksuit its name, AFCS 18th Legacy Set.” A hidden “Flying Colours” wing structure is embedded in the sleeves, and the wings unfurl when the wearer spreads their arms, a subtle symbol of ambition and rise. Elsewhere, an “O Gbona” vignette, rooted in a bread seller’s morning call, folds childhood memories into contemporary set pieces and styling. A short film connects these moments and brings the exhibition’s sonic and emotional palette to life.
Ibadan Raised, NYC Made bridges heritage and evolution through immersive visuals, fashion and storytelling. The project honours Ibadan’s legacy, frames identity as strength and invites a wider conversation about creativity across cultures.
Exhibition details
Title: Ibadan Raised, NYC Made, an exhibition by CEOJAY
Opening: Thursday, September 11, 2025, New York
RSVP / Tickets: Here
Format: Photography, short film, set design, visual art and a fashion piece
Press contact:info@deedsmag.com
About CEOJAY
Olajide Alabi, known as CEOJAY, is a Nigerian director and multidisciplinary creative whose work merges film, photography, set design and fashion into generational stories. Originally from Ibadan and now working out of New York, he has collaborated across music and culture, including the award-nominated video “People” for Libianca. He has also played creative roles with artists such as Adekunle Gold and Pheelz, alongside campaigns with global brands. He founded Panel Members, an invite-only think tank dedicated to shaping cultural ideas.
