Celebrating Indigenous Art at Our Hotel

At Best Western Plus At The Oxbow Lake, we believe in the power of art to tell stories and create connections. That’s why we proudly showcase a stunning collection of pieces by talented indigenous artists, each thoughtfully placed throughout our space to enhance your experience and celebrate the rich cultural heritage of our region. Below, we invite you to explore each artwork and its story, as well as its location within the hotel.

Dieseye Tantua is a Bayelsan renowned artist whose pieces speak to the spirit, elegance, and tradition of the Niger Delta.

Contact Dieseye Tantua
Location:Port Harcourt | Mobile: +234 803 309 7857

Name: “Ijaw Queen”
Location: Lobby

The “Ijaw Queen”, is an oil-on-canvas painting that spreads 6ft by 8ft. The painting which the artist started in the second month of 2023 was finally completed at the end of 2023 . This monumental oil-on-canvas painting is a monochromatic masterpiece with impasto textures achieved through meticulous palette knife strokes. The “Ijaw Queen” portrays a woman in quiet repose, her gaze cast down in a captivating blend of grace and mystery. The painting draws guests in with its layered textures and tones, inviting contemplation and respect for Bayelsa’s dignified heritage.

Name: “The Golden Point”
Location: Lounge Area

Name: “Pop Art Series”
Location: Ayayi Restaurant

These masterpieces, featured in our restaurant, capture the vibrant essence of the Niger Delta through portraits of local icons and cultural personalities. Using his signature pop art style, inspired by the bold colours of the 60s and 70s, he portrays celebrated figures in traditional dress, emphasizing Bayelsa’s pride in fashion, tradition, music, and heritage. This series adds a lively, welcoming ambiance to the dining space, where each image is a celebration of regional identity and modern flair.Created in his signature style of ‘Pop Art’ which was first made popular in the sixties and seventies by Andy Warhol, Tantua went all out with vibrant, playful acrylic colours. All done in 3ft by 4ft canvas.

Name: “Untitled Pieces”
Location: Rooms

Throughout our rooms, suites and residences, Tantua’s untitled pieces offer a more tranquil representation of Bayelsa culture. These abstract, textured artworks—created with sand, glue, paste on acrylic and neatly done with palette knives—reflect the artist’s journey through the Niger Delta. Downplayed in colour, these diptychs complement each room’s décor, adding a sense of calm and continuity to the overall design esthetics.

Name: “Iconic Buildings”
Location: Chinese Restaurant

On the Ground Floor, the Chinese restaurant showcases four iconic structures that hold historical and cultural significance in Bayelsa: the Consulate House in Twon Brass, D. S. P. Alamieyeseigha Banquet Hall, Castle Hotel, and the Glass House in Opolo. Each of these sites reflects a distinct chapter of Bayelsa's architectural and political history, from colonial influence and legacy projects by past governors to structures like the Glass House, originally housing the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board. These images are a tribute to the state’s resilience and transformation over the years.

Name: “Dress Culture”
Location: Grey Lounge

Nicely hung opposite the ground floor Bar, the Dress Culture collection highlights the traditional attire of Bayelsa’s Ijaw people. Vivid images of men’s and women’s ceremonial clothing showcase the Ijaw tribe's vibrant cultural identity. Men’s attire, like the Opu Shirt and Angapu, are displayed alongside the richly adorned traditional wear of Ijaw women, celebrating heritage through detailed fabric work, coral beads, and intricate head ties. This exhibition brings to life Bayelsa’s unique aesthetic, showing how attire expresses status, identity, and community values.

Name: “Celebrations”
Location: Chinese Restaurant

Within the private room of the Chinese Restaurant on the ground floor, Celebrations captures the dynamic energy of Bayelsa’s festivals and ceremonies. The images are alive with colour and movement, presenting moments of joy, traditional dance, and cultural expressions from across the Niger Delta. These scenes invite guests to immerse themselves in the heart of Bayelsa’s festive traditions.

Name: “Oil Installations”
Location: Boardroom & Corner Store

The Boardroom and Business Centre feature the Oil Installations theme, showcasing black-and-white photographs that honour Bayelsa’s role in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry. Images like “Bonny Light” and “Gas Plant” depict the scale and impact of oil production, while “Tank Farm Twon Brass” captures Agip Oil’s infrastructure against a striking sunset, illustrating the mix of industry and natural beauty. This theme recognizes the state’s economic contributions and complex relationship with oil production.

Name: “Water Bodies”
Location: Rooms

The upper floors celebrate Water Bodies, portraying Bayelsa’s renowned waterways, creeks, and rivers. Known as the "Glory of all Lands," Bayelsa’s waterscapes are photographed to show both tranquility and livelihood. In images like “Fishing Camp” and “Lone Fisherman,” photographers have captured the balance between nature and the people who rely on the rivers for fishing and daily life. Further highlighting the environment, photographs like “Ekoli Bridge” and “Nembe Unity Bridge” represent community interconnectivity and resilience in riverside villages.

Location: Rooms - Headboards

Although she is not currently a full-time practicing photographer, her artistic skills and deep passion for the visual arts continue to shape her career and influence every endeavor she takes on. Adukeh often draws inspiration from her environment, showcasing the vibrant culture and rich landscapes of her home state. Her recent collection celebrates Bayelsa’s defining natural beauty, featuring lush green fields, bright blue skies, and the calm, reflective waters of the region—works that are both deeply personal and universally relatable. Her photography stands out for its blend of technical expertise and storytelling, bridging the gap between reality and imagination. Adukeh’s approach to visual art is celebrated for capturing the beauty and simplicity of everyday life in a way that resonates with a wide audience.

Celebrating Indigenous Art at Our Hotel

Dieseye Tantua is a Bayelsan renowned artist whose pieces speak to the spirit, elegance, and tradition of the Niger Delta.

Contact Dieseye Tantua
Location:Port Harcourt | Mobile: +234 803 309 7857

Name: “Ijaw Queen”
Location: Lobby

Name: “The Golden Point”
Location: Lounge Area

Name: “Pop Art Series”
Location: Ayayi Restaurant

Name: “Untitled Pieces”
Location: Rooms

Name: “Iconic Buildings”
Location: Chinese Restaurant

Name: “Dress Culture”
Location: Grey Lounge

Name: “Celebrations”
Location: Chinese Restaurant

Name: “Oil Installations”
Location: Boardroom & Corner Store

Name: “Water Bodies”
Location: Rooms

Location: Rooms - Headboards

Superior Room

Penthouse Suite

Deluxe Suite

Presidential Suite

Double Residence

Celebrating Indigenous Art at Our Hotel

Dieseye Tantua is a Bayelsan renowned artist whose pieces speak to the spirit, elegance, and tradition of the Niger Delta.

Contact Dieseye Tantua Location:Port Harcourt | Mobile: +234 803 309 7857

Name: “Ijaw Queen” Location: Lobby

Name: “The Golden Point” Location: Lounge Area

Name: “Pop Art Series” Location: Ayayi Restaurant

Name: “Untitled Pieces” Location: Rooms

Name: “Iconic Buildings” Location: Chinese Restaurant

Name: “Dress Culture” Location: Grey Lounge

Name: “Celebrations” Location: Chinese Restaurant

Name: “Oil Installations” Location: Boardroom & Corner Store

Name: “Water Bodies” Location: Rooms

Location: Rooms - Headboards

Superior Room

Penthouse Suite

Deluxe Suite

Presidential Suite

Double Residence

Contact Dieseye Tantua
Location:Port Harcourt | Mobile: +234 803 309 7857

Name: “Ijaw Queen”
Location: Lobby

Name: “The Golden Point”
Location: Lounge Area

Name: “Pop Art Series”
Location: Ayayi Restaurant

Name: “Untitled Pieces”
Location: Rooms

Name: “Iconic Buildings”
Location: Chinese Restaurant

Name: “Dress Culture”
Location: Grey Lounge

Name: “Celebrations”
Location: Chinese Restaurant

Name: “Oil Installations”
Location: Boardroom & Corner Store

Name: “Water Bodies”
Location: Rooms