Sunday, March 29, 2026 · Updated Sunday, March 29, 2026
Rido, Nigeria
In the quiet communities of Rido, Nigeria, a powerful form of artistic expression is taking root, allowing individuals to channel deep-seated emotions onto paper. These art sessions, far from being mere recreational activities, serve as a vital outlet for emotional release and understanding, transforming personal struggles into compelling visual narratives. The raw honesty captured in these pencil drawings resonates with universal themes of vulnerability and the human desire for connection.
A snail is crawling along a grout line between ceramic tiles. The grout is light beige and slightly worn. The tiles are a light peach color with a marbleized pattern. The snail has a brown, coiled shell. The location is unknown, despite the mention of Rido, Nigeria.
One particularly poignant piece depicts a large, solitary eye, from which a heavy tear streams down. Within the iris, a tiny figure appears to struggle, arms raised in a gesture of despair or plea. Beneath this striking image, handwritten words offer a profound insight: "Behind every tear, there's a soul - begging to be understood." The shading of the tear itself, rendered with intense pencil strokes, adds to the drawing's emotional weight, while the stark command "Shush!" hints at silenced voices and unacknowledged pain.
A close-up shot shows a person's hand holding a blue pen and writing in a lined notebook. Next to the notebook is a mobile phone displaying text from 1 Corinthians 9:15 about financial support for preachers. The writing in the notebook appears to be summarizing the text on the phone. The setting is undetermined, the location in the city of Rido, Nigeria is unknown.
Further works from these sessions include detailed sketches of faces, often with closed eyes and prominent tears, meticulously drawn with pink pencils. The process, captured in video, shows the careful rendering of eyelashes, noses, and lips, culminating in a powerful portrayal of sorrow. Another drawing reveals a figure hanging from a pole, accompanied by the stark, one-word declaration: "Broken!" These images collectively speak to a community grappling with unspoken burdens, finding solace and expression through art.
A pencil sketch on white paper depicts a stylized, elongated eye. The pupil is represented by a circle within the eye shape. An appendage that looks like a nose is attached to the right side of the eye. The sketch lines are rough and suggestive. The location is indeterminable from the image.
A hand holds a pink pencil with a star on it, sketching an eye on a piece of white paper. The eye is already partially drawn with lines depicting the eyelid, eyelashes, and the surrounding skin. Within the eye, there is a drawing of a small figure with outstretched arms. The scene is lit naturally, casting a slight shadow on the paper.
The choice of simple pencil and paper underscores the accessibility and democratic nature of this artistic movement. It demonstrates that profound statements do not require elaborate materials, but rather a willingness to confront and convey inner truths. Each stroke of the pencil becomes a whisper, a shout, or a quiet lament, contributing to a collective tapestry of emotional landscapes.
A pencil drawing of a lion's head is on a white paper surface. The drawing includes details like the lion's mane, ear, eye, nose, mouth, and whiskers. A pink pencil with the inscription "HB 0585" is positioned pointing towards the top of the lion's head. The paper is lying on a blue surface in the upper left corner. The location is unknown, and the city of Rido, Nigeria, is not evident in the image.
The video shows a person drawing a face with a pink pencil on a white sheet of paper. The drawing depicts a face with closed eyes, long eyelashes, a nose, and lips. Tears are drawn coming from the eyes. The hand holding the pencil is dark-skinned. The pencil is labeled "H 0.5" with a star design. The paper is slightly creased and positioned on a dark blue surface.
A drawing of a face crying on a white piece of paper, with a pencil laying on top of the paper. The pencil is pink and green with stars and the word "ENVIRONMENTAL" printed on it. The drawing is located on what appears to be a desk surface with an object to the left of the paper, which is partially in frame. The location is presumed to be Rido, Nigeria, as specified.
These art sessions in Rido are more than just workshops; they are therapeutic spaces where creative expression fosters empathy and dialogue. By giving form to the invisible weight of human emotions, these artists notlessly not only process their own experiences but also invite viewers to pause, reflect, and ultimately, to understand the souls that beg to be heard through every tear and every line.
A sketch depicts a hunched over, possibly humanoid figure with thin limbs and a bulbous head resting over what appears to be a ledge. The figure's back has vertical lines possibly suggesting ridges. The location in the city of Rido, Nigeria is not discernible from the drawing itself.
Rido, Nigeria · Mar 29, 2026, 9:21 AM
A pencil drawing on a white sheet of paper depicts a large eye crying. Inside the iris, a small figure appears to be struggling with its hands raised. Beneath the eye, the tear is heavily shaded with pencil strokes. Above the eye, handwritten text reads, "Behind every tear, there's a soul - begging to be understood." To the right of the eye, the word "Shush!" is also handwritten. The paper rests on a dark surface with a partially visible blue object beneath it. The scene does not contain elements identifying Rido, Nigeria.
A close-up shot shows a hand holding a pink and green "ENVIRONMENTAL" pencil over a sketch. The sketch, done in pencil on white paper, depicts a figure hanging from a pole, with the word "Broken!" written below. The hand moves the pencil slightly as if contemplating where to draw next. The background is a dark wooden surface.
A snail is crawling along a grout line between ceramic tiles. The grout is light beige and slightly worn. The tiles are a light peach color with a marbleized pattern. The snail has a brown, coiled shell. The location is unknown, despite the mention of Rido, Nigeria.
A mug of dark liquid, possibly tea, sits on a dark surface. Beside the mug is a purple packet labeled "AL JALAL HALA TAHINA" in Arabic and English. A yellow packet labeled "Madu" in brown font and containing the words "Vitamin C" in red is also present, being held by a dark-skinned hand with a visible thumb. The packets appear to be related to the drink. No evidence indicates the image's location in Rido, Nigeria.
A close-up shot shows a person's hand holding a blue pen and writing in a lined notebook. Next to the notebook is a mobile phone displaying text from 1 Corinthians 9:15 about financial support for preachers. The writing in the notebook appears to be summarizing the text on the phone. The setting is undetermined, the location in the city of Rido, Nigeria is unknown.
A close-up shot shows a hand pouring honey from a small, yellow packet labeled "Madu Enak" into a white cup filled with a dark liquid. The packet, also labeled with "Vitamin C" and "Minuman Madu Rasa Jeruk" (honey orange flavor drink), is being squeezed to extract the honey. The cup sits on a dark surface.
A pencil sketch on white paper depicts a stylized, elongated eye. The pupil is represented by a circle within the eye shape. An appendage that looks like a nose is attached to the right side of the eye. The sketch lines are rough and suggestive. The location is indeterminable from the image.
A close-up shot depicts a cup of tea with a spoon inside, next to a book titled "The Mafia: The First 100 Years," and a partially unwrapped peanut butter candy bar held in a person's hand. The book rests on a dark, possibly wooden, surface. The overall lighting suggests an indoor environment. The city of Rido, Nigeria, is not discernible from the image alone.
A hand holds a pink pencil with a star on it, sketching an eye on a piece of white paper. The eye is already partially drawn with lines depicting the eyelid, eyelashes, and the surrounding skin. Within the eye, there is a drawing of a small figure with outstretched arms. The scene is lit naturally, casting a slight shadow on the paper.
Rido, Nigeria
