Over the past week, we had the opportunity to host a preview of the Nigeria Imaginary exhibition for the official presentation of the Nigeria Pavilion at this year’s Venice Biennale. We are grateful for the support we received, and for the positive feedback by press and members of the public. “One of the most ambitious African presentations ever at the Venice Biennale.” – Siddhartha Mitter, New York Times “Top 8 Pavilions” – NYT “ Top 5 Pavilions” – ArtNews We hope you get a chance to visit too. Tag us @mowaaofficial and @nigeriaimaginary when you do! NIGERIA IMAGNARY Nigerian Pavilion 20.4-24.11.2024. Palazzo Canal, 3121 Rio Tera Canal Dorsoduro, Venice Curated by Aindrea Emelife Commissioned by the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, on behalf of Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Art, Culture and the Creative Economy under the leadership of Honorable Minister Barr. Hannatu Musa Musawa. Organized by The Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) Open Tue-Sun 11.00-19.00.
Over the past week, we had the opportunity to host a preview of the Nigeria Imaginary exhibition for the official presentation of the Nigeria Pavilion at this year’s Venice Biennale. We are grateful for the support we received, and for the positive feedback by press and members of the public. “One of the most ambitious African presentations ever at the Venice Biennale.” – Siddhartha Mitter, New York Times “Top 8 Pavilions” – NYT “ Top 5 Pavilions” – ArtNews We hope you get a chance to visit too. Tag us @mowaaofficial and @nigeriaimaginary when you do! NIGERIA IMAGNARY Nigerian Pavilion 20.4-24.11.2024. Palazzo Canal, 3121 Rio Tera Canal Dorsoduro, Venice Curated by Aindrea Emelife Commissioned by the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, on behalf of Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Art, Culture and the Creative Economy under the leadership of Honorable Minister Barr. Hannatu Musa Musawa. Organized by The Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) Open Tue-Sun 11.00-19.00.
Over the past week, we had the opportunity to host a preview of the Nigeria Imaginary exhibition for the official presentation of the Nigeria Pavilion at this year’s Venice Biennale. We are grateful for the support we received, and for the positive feedback by press and members of the public. “One of the most ambitious African presentations ever at the Venice Biennale.” – Siddhartha Mitter, New York Times “Top 8 Pavilions” – NYT “ Top 5 Pavilions” – ArtNews We hope you get a chance to visit too. Tag us @mowaaofficial and @nigeriaimaginary when you do! NIGERIA IMAGNARY Nigerian Pavilion 20.4-24.11.2024. Palazzo Canal, 3121 Rio Tera Canal Dorsoduro, Venice Curated by Aindrea Emelife Commissioned by the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, on behalf of Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Art, Culture and the Creative Economy under the leadership of Honorable Minister Barr. Hannatu Musa Musawa. Organized by The Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) Open Tue-Sun 11.00-19.00.
Over the past week, we had the opportunity to host a preview of the Nigeria Imaginary exhibition for the official presentation of the Nigeria Pavilion at this year’s Venice Biennale. We are grateful for the support we received, and for the positive feedback by press and members of the public. “One of the most ambitious African presentations ever at the Venice Biennale.” – Siddhartha Mitter, New York Times “Top 8 Pavilions” – NYT “ Top 5 Pavilions” – ArtNews We hope you get a chance to visit too. Tag us @mowaaofficial and @nigeriaimaginary when you do! NIGERIA IMAGNARY Nigerian Pavilion 20.4-24.11.2024. Palazzo Canal, 3121 Rio Tera Canal Dorsoduro, Venice Curated by Aindrea Emelife Commissioned by the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, on behalf of Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Art, Culture and the Creative Economy under the leadership of Honorable Minister Barr. Hannatu Musa Musawa. Organized by The Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) Open Tue-Sun 11.00-19.00.
Over the past week, we had the opportunity to host a preview of the Nigeria Imaginary exhibition for the official presentation of the Nigeria Pavilion at this year’s Venice Biennale. We are grateful for the support we received, and for the positive feedback by press and members of the public. “One of the most ambitious African presentations ever at the Venice Biennale.” – Siddhartha Mitter, New York Times “Top 8 Pavilions” – NYT “ Top 5 Pavilions” – ArtNews We hope you get a chance to visit too. Tag us @mowaaofficial and @nigeriaimaginary when you do! NIGERIA IMAGNARY Nigerian Pavilion 20.4-24.11.2024. Palazzo Canal, 3121 Rio Tera Canal Dorsoduro, Venice Curated by Aindrea Emelife Commissioned by the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, on behalf of Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Art, Culture and the Creative Economy under the leadership of Honorable Minister Barr. Hannatu Musa Musawa. Organized by The Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) Open Tue-Sun 11.00-19.00.
Over the past week, we had the opportunity to host a preview of the Nigeria Imaginary exhibition for the official presentation of the Nigeria Pavilion at this year’s Venice Biennale. We are grateful for the support we received, and for the positive feedback by press and members of the public. “One of the most ambitious African presentations ever at the Venice Biennale.” – Siddhartha Mitter, New York Times “Top 8 Pavilions” – NYT “ Top 5 Pavilions” – ArtNews We hope you get a chance to visit too. Tag us @mowaaofficial and @nigeriaimaginary when you do! NIGERIA IMAGNARY Nigerian Pavilion 20.4-24.11.2024. Palazzo Canal, 3121 Rio Tera Canal Dorsoduro, Venice Curated by Aindrea Emelife Commissioned by the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, on behalf of Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Art, Culture and the Creative Economy under the leadership of Honorable Minister Barr. Hannatu Musa Musawa. Organized by The Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) Open Tue-Sun 11.00-19.00.
Over the past week, we had the opportunity to host a preview of the Nigeria Imaginary exhibition for the official presentation of the Nigeria Pavilion at this year’s Venice Biennale. We are grateful for the support we received, and for the positive feedback by press and members of the public. “One of the most ambitious African presentations ever at the Venice Biennale.” – Siddhartha Mitter, New York Times “Top 8 Pavilions” – NYT “ Top 5 Pavilions” – ArtNews We hope you get a chance to visit too. Tag us @mowaaofficial and @nigeriaimaginary when you do! NIGERIA IMAGNARY Nigerian Pavilion 20.4-24.11.2024. Palazzo Canal, 3121 Rio Tera Canal Dorsoduro, Venice Curated by Aindrea Emelife Commissioned by the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, on behalf of Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Art, Culture and the Creative Economy under the leadership of Honorable Minister Barr. Hannatu Musa Musawa. Organized by The Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) Open Tue-Sun 11.00-19.00.
Over the past week, we had the opportunity to host a preview of the Nigeria Imaginary exhibition for the official presentation of the Nigeria Pavilion at this year’s Venice Biennale. We are grateful for the support we received, and for the positive feedback by press and members of the public. “One of the most ambitious African presentations ever at the Venice Biennale.” – Siddhartha Mitter, New York Times “Top 8 Pavilions” – NYT “ Top 5 Pavilions” – ArtNews We hope you get a chance to visit too. Tag us @mowaaofficial and @nigeriaimaginary when you do! NIGERIA IMAGNARY Nigerian Pavilion 20.4-24.11.2024. Palazzo Canal, 3121 Rio Tera Canal Dorsoduro, Venice Curated by Aindrea Emelife Commissioned by the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, on behalf of Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Art, Culture and the Creative Economy under the leadership of Honorable Minister Barr. Hannatu Musa Musawa. Organized by The Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) Open Tue-Sun 11.00-19.00.
NIGERIA PAVILION at 60th International Art Exhibition, La Biennale di Venezia Proud to present…. NIGERIA IMAGINARY. How do you imagine a nation? Can we make a contemporary parable? The concept of Nigeria Imaginary comes from two points of departure. It explores the role of both great moments in Nigeria’s history—moments of optimism—as well as the Nigeria that lives in all of our minds: a Nigeria that could be and is yet to be. Nigeria Imaginary presents different perspectives and constructed ideas, memories, and nostalgias of the country, including an intergenerational and diasporic lens, to imagine a Nigeria for the future. Works range in many differing mediums, including painting, photography, drawing, installation, sculpture, AR, sound, and film. Artists: Tunji Adeniyi-Jones (@tunjiaj), Ndidi Dike (@dikendidi), Onyeka Igwe (@memoriesofabiglife), Toyin Ojih Odutola, Abraham Oghobase (@oghobaseabraham), Precious Okoyomon (@devilintraining_), Yinka Shonibare CBE RA (@shonibarestudio), and Fatimah Tuggar. It is an incredible honour to be curating this Pavilion. Not long now… www.nigeriaimaginary.com Commissioned by His Excellency Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State Government on the behalf of the Ministry of Art, Culture and the Creative Economy (@fmacce_nigeria ) Organised by The Museum of West African Art (@mowaaofficial)
NIGERIA PAVILION at 60th International Art Exhibition, La Biennale di Venezia Proud to present…. NIGERIA IMAGINARY. How do you imagine a nation? Can we make a contemporary parable? The concept of Nigeria Imaginary comes from two points of departure. It explores the role of both great moments in Nigeria’s history—moments of optimism—as well as the Nigeria that lives in all of our minds: a Nigeria that could be and is yet to be. Nigeria Imaginary presents different perspectives and constructed ideas, memories, and nostalgias of the country, including an intergenerational and diasporic lens, to imagine a Nigeria for the future. Works range in many differing mediums, including painting, photography, drawing, installation, sculpture, AR, sound, and film. Artists: Tunji Adeniyi-Jones (@tunjiaj), Ndidi Dike (@dikendidi), Onyeka Igwe (@memoriesofabiglife), Toyin Ojih Odutola, Abraham Oghobase (@oghobaseabraham), Precious Okoyomon (@devilintraining_), Yinka Shonibare CBE RA (@shonibarestudio), and Fatimah Tuggar. It is an incredible honour to be curating this Pavilion. Not long now… www.nigeriaimaginary.com Commissioned by His Excellency Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State Government on the behalf of the Ministry of Art, Culture and the Creative Economy (@fmacce_nigeria ) Organised by The Museum of West African Art (@mowaaofficial)
NIGERIA PAVILION at 60th International Art Exhibition, La Biennale di Venezia Proud to present…. NIGERIA IMAGINARY. How do you imagine a nation? Can we make a contemporary parable? The concept of Nigeria Imaginary comes from two points of departure. It explores the role of both great moments in Nigeria’s history—moments of optimism—as well as the Nigeria that lives in all of our minds: a Nigeria that could be and is yet to be. Nigeria Imaginary presents different perspectives and constructed ideas, memories, and nostalgias of the country, including an intergenerational and diasporic lens, to imagine a Nigeria for the future. Works range in many differing mediums, including painting, photography, drawing, installation, sculpture, AR, sound, and film. Artists: Tunji Adeniyi-Jones (@tunjiaj), Ndidi Dike (@dikendidi), Onyeka Igwe (@memoriesofabiglife), Toyin Ojih Odutola, Abraham Oghobase (@oghobaseabraham), Precious Okoyomon (@devilintraining_), Yinka Shonibare CBE RA (@shonibarestudio), and Fatimah Tuggar. It is an incredible honour to be curating this Pavilion. Not long now… www.nigeriaimaginary.com Commissioned by His Excellency Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State Government on the behalf of the Ministry of Art, Culture and the Creative Economy (@fmacce_nigeria ) Organised by The Museum of West African Art (@mowaaofficial)
NIGERIA PAVILION at 60th International Art Exhibition, La Biennale di Venezia Proud to present…. NIGERIA IMAGINARY. How do you imagine a nation? Can we make a contemporary parable? The concept of Nigeria Imaginary comes from two points of departure. It explores the role of both great moments in Nigeria’s history—moments of optimism—as well as the Nigeria that lives in all of our minds: a Nigeria that could be and is yet to be. Nigeria Imaginary presents different perspectives and constructed ideas, memories, and nostalgias of the country, including an intergenerational and diasporic lens, to imagine a Nigeria for the future. Works range in many differing mediums, including painting, photography, drawing, installation, sculpture, AR, sound, and film. Artists: Tunji Adeniyi-Jones (@tunjiaj), Ndidi Dike (@dikendidi), Onyeka Igwe (@memoriesofabiglife), Toyin Ojih Odutola, Abraham Oghobase (@oghobaseabraham), Precious Okoyomon (@devilintraining_), Yinka Shonibare CBE RA (@shonibarestudio), and Fatimah Tuggar. It is an incredible honour to be curating this Pavilion. Not long now… www.nigeriaimaginary.com Commissioned by His Excellency Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State Government on the behalf of the Ministry of Art, Culture and the Creative Economy (@fmacce_nigeria ) Organised by The Museum of West African Art (@mowaaofficial)
Excited to be sharing snippets of curatorial thinking’s over on @nigeriaimaginary and @mowaaofficial ahead of the Nigeria Pavilion at the 60th International Art Exhibition, La Biennale Di Venezia @labiennale. The opening sentence from the Manifesto, titled, Natural Synthesis, written by artist Uche Okeke.Guided by the renascent African spirit of the 60s, Okeke and his peers forged a new modality for modernist art that synthesised traditional, indigenous African aesthetics with the new techniques and sensibilities found in a post-colonial world. Articulated through many fields of reference and artistic disciplines, Nigeria Imaginary is a restless investigation of the past. It looks back at some of Nigeria’s historic moments and artistic creations, explores the present, and defiantly imagines what is yet to come.
Excited to be sharing snippets of curatorial thinking’s over on @nigeriaimaginary and @mowaaofficial ahead of the Nigeria Pavilion at the 60th International Art Exhibition, La Biennale Di Venezia @labiennale. The opening sentence from the Manifesto, titled, Natural Synthesis, written by artist Uche Okeke.Guided by the renascent African spirit of the 60s, Okeke and his peers forged a new modality for modernist art that synthesised traditional, indigenous African aesthetics with the new techniques and sensibilities found in a post-colonial world. Articulated through many fields of reference and artistic disciplines, Nigeria Imaginary is a restless investigation of the past. It looks back at some of Nigeria’s historic moments and artistic creations, explores the present, and defiantly imagines what is yet to come.
Greeting the greats #DemasNwoko Investigating the pre and post independence dreaming and thinking has been central to my research for #NigeriaImaginary – the forthcoming Nigeria Pavilion at this years Venice Biennale. The son of a traditional ruler, Nwoko was born in 1935 in Idumuje-Ugboko, a rural town in southern Nigeria, and he cultivated his talent in painting, drawing and carving at secondary school in Benin City, where he moved in 1951. Nwoko and fellow students, including Yusuf Grillo, Uche Okeke, Bruce Onobrakpeya and Simon Okeke, to create the Zaria Art Society. They promoted the idea of ‘natural synthesis’, combining their Western art education with African ideas. Later, the group became popularly known as the ‘Zaria Rebels’. They went on to establish spaces such as the Mbari Writers and Artists Club, developing a new art that blended African and Western modernist aesthetics, forms and processes to reflect the spirit of political independence. ‘there were a few of us saying that the new should grow out of the old, while the rest were swept [away] with modernisation.’
Greeting the greats #DemasNwoko Investigating the pre and post independence dreaming and thinking has been central to my research for #NigeriaImaginary – the forthcoming Nigeria Pavilion at this years Venice Biennale. The son of a traditional ruler, Nwoko was born in 1935 in Idumuje-Ugboko, a rural town in southern Nigeria, and he cultivated his talent in painting, drawing and carving at secondary school in Benin City, where he moved in 1951. Nwoko and fellow students, including Yusuf Grillo, Uche Okeke, Bruce Onobrakpeya and Simon Okeke, to create the Zaria Art Society. They promoted the idea of ‘natural synthesis’, combining their Western art education with African ideas. Later, the group became popularly known as the ‘Zaria Rebels’. They went on to establish spaces such as the Mbari Writers and Artists Club, developing a new art that blended African and Western modernist aesthetics, forms and processes to reflect the spirit of political independence. ‘there were a few of us saying that the new should grow out of the old, while the rest were swept [away] with modernisation.’
Greeting the greats #DemasNwoko Investigating the pre and post independence dreaming and thinking has been central to my research for #NigeriaImaginary – the forthcoming Nigeria Pavilion at this years Venice Biennale. The son of a traditional ruler, Nwoko was born in 1935 in Idumuje-Ugboko, a rural town in southern Nigeria, and he cultivated his talent in painting, drawing and carving at secondary school in Benin City, where he moved in 1951. Nwoko and fellow students, including Yusuf Grillo, Uche Okeke, Bruce Onobrakpeya and Simon Okeke, to create the Zaria Art Society. They promoted the idea of ‘natural synthesis’, combining their Western art education with African ideas. Later, the group became popularly known as the ‘Zaria Rebels’. They went on to establish spaces such as the Mbari Writers and Artists Club, developing a new art that blended African and Western modernist aesthetics, forms and processes to reflect the spirit of political independence. ‘there were a few of us saying that the new should grow out of the old, while the rest were swept [away] with modernisation.’
2023 has been transformative for so many reasons. As I gear up for 2024, and some of the most important projects and moments in my life so far, I want to try to appreciate the achievements so far. The reception of Black Venus at @somersethouse blew me away. From the reviews to the messages I received from you all, to the TikToks of young black women celebrating themselves in the show. This show has changed me – how I see myself as a black woman and how I see my duty as a curator. Still so thankful to @clifflauson, Stephanie Bush, Ali Quine, Jonathan Reekie and the whole SH team for making the show a reality. 2024… it’s about to be real.
2023 has been transformative for so many reasons. As I gear up for 2024, and some of the most important projects and moments in my life so far, I want to try to appreciate the achievements so far. The reception of Black Venus at @somersethouse blew me away. From the reviews to the messages I received from you all, to the TikToks of young black women celebrating themselves in the show. This show has changed me – how I see myself as a black woman and how I see my duty as a curator. Still so thankful to @clifflauson, Stephanie Bush, Ali Quine, Jonathan Reekie and the whole SH team for making the show a reality. 2024… it’s about to be real.
2023 has been transformative for so many reasons. As I gear up for 2024, and some of the most important projects and moments in my life so far, I want to try to appreciate the achievements so far. The reception of Black Venus at @somersethouse blew me away. From the reviews to the messages I received from you all, to the TikToks of young black women celebrating themselves in the show. This show has changed me – how I see myself as a black woman and how I see my duty as a curator. Still so thankful to @clifflauson, Stephanie Bush, Ali Quine, Jonathan Reekie and the whole SH team for making the show a reality. 2024… it’s about to be real.
2023 has been transformative for so many reasons. As I gear up for 2024, and some of the most important projects and moments in my life so far, I want to try to appreciate the achievements so far. The reception of Black Venus at @somersethouse blew me away. From the reviews to the messages I received from you all, to the TikToks of young black women celebrating themselves in the show. This show has changed me – how I see myself as a black woman and how I see my duty as a curator. Still so thankful to @clifflauson, Stephanie Bush, Ali Quine, Jonathan Reekie and the whole SH team for making the show a reality. 2024… it’s about to be real.
on the road again 🇳🇬
Last week marked the 60th Venice Biennale. Earlier in the year, Elephant writer Shaquille Heath (@_shaqy) spoke with curator, Aindrea Emelife (@aindreaemelife) , and renowned artist, Yinka Shonibare (@shonibarestudio), about the Nigerian pavilion. “The two, who have both split their lives between Nigeria and London, talk slowly with me on a Monday afternoon, crowds of Londoners swelling outside their respective apartments celebrating the Summer bank holiday. But inside, these two were a land away, transporting us to the heart of Lagos, and conspiring on how to transmit that pulse to Venice in 2024. It is remarkable to watch Emelife and Shonibare go back and forth in lockstep, and it is clear that they share the same artistic vision and aspirations for the pavilion. “I think that’s something that’s really fundamental to me. The historical and heritage,” shared Shonibare. “Where have we come from? Why are we where we are today? And what’s the impact of the past on the present? Those things are very important, because until we start to actually understand the past, it’s almost impossible to understand the present.” Shaquille Heath (@_shaqy) records the thoughts and processes between Aindrea Emelife (@aindreaemelife) and Yinka Shonibare (@shonibarestudio) prior to the landmark exhibition of the most ambitious Nigerian pavilion to date. Live on the site now. Photos by: @james_re
Last week marked the 60th Venice Biennale. Earlier in the year, Elephant writer Shaquille Heath (@_shaqy) spoke with curator, Aindrea Emelife (@aindreaemelife) , and renowned artist, Yinka Shonibare (@shonibarestudio), about the Nigerian pavilion. “The two, who have both split their lives between Nigeria and London, talk slowly with me on a Monday afternoon, crowds of Londoners swelling outside their respective apartments celebrating the Summer bank holiday. But inside, these two were a land away, transporting us to the heart of Lagos, and conspiring on how to transmit that pulse to Venice in 2024. It is remarkable to watch Emelife and Shonibare go back and forth in lockstep, and it is clear that they share the same artistic vision and aspirations for the pavilion. “I think that’s something that’s really fundamental to me. The historical and heritage,” shared Shonibare. “Where have we come from? Why are we where we are today? And what’s the impact of the past on the present? Those things are very important, because until we start to actually understand the past, it’s almost impossible to understand the present.” Shaquille Heath (@_shaqy) records the thoughts and processes between Aindrea Emelife (@aindreaemelife) and Yinka Shonibare (@shonibarestudio) prior to the landmark exhibition of the most ambitious Nigerian pavilion to date. Live on the site now. Photos by: @james_re
