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THE NEED TO SUSTAIN NIGERIA'S APPEARANCE IN BIENNALES


By: Mathew B. Oyedele

It is not out of place to say that the euphoria of the inclusion of Nigeria in the oldest cultural biennale still clouds the Nigerian art world with diverse opinions, essays and comments circulating the media through personalities that thread the path of art.  This development has created a platform of discourse among connoisseurs and art enthusiasts in Nigeria and Africa.
  
Nigerian art is currently witnessing an influx of creativity and has rapidly risen to a phenomenal stage that stamps its feet in global arts discourse. Its energetic artists are constantly pushing and questioning conventional boundaries through research-based works of art and record-setting sales at auction houses. What then delay Nigeria’s appearance at the Venice biennale? African art has largely been under-represented at the Venice biennale with currently only seven African countries out of 54 proposed to be represented with national pavilions in this years’ biennale.

Through the relentless effort of Nigerian artists, Nigeria is among the countries that will be participating in the 57th international art exhibition in Venice this year. Three Nigerian artists have been selected to represent the country by the curators of the Nigerian pavilion.  Peju Alatise will present “Flying Girls,” an installation of eight winged life-size girls, based on the story of a 10-year-old girl who works as a housemaid in Lagos while dreaming of a realm where she is free and can fly.  Victor Ehikhamenor will present “The Biography of the Forgotten,” a large-scale work fusing abstract shapes with traditional sculpture, informed by an investment in classical Benin art and the effect of colonialism on cultural heritage.  Qudus Onikeku on his part, will stage a display of “Right Here, Right Now,” a trilogy of performance films, presented as an investigation through dance of the workings of body memory and its connection to national consciousness. 


The themes of the selected artists obviously synthesize traditional and modern ideas with the contemporary by seeking out meaning from meaning, idea from idea and form from form. Peju’s works will invoke fantasy and hope while Ehikhamenor will create an ambience of history, experience and nationhood as well as bridging the interstice between memory and remembrance. Qudus Onikeku’s performance will present an awareness of the body for national responsibility. Nigeria in Venice is themed ‘How about Now’.

This development is applaudable but more work needs to be done to sustain the foundation that has just been laid. The horizon of Nigerian art needs more expansion through explorations that are unpredictable, engaging and dynamic. This requires artists’ response to situations and happenings in their immediate environments and oneness of art organizations. One such move to sustain Nigeria’s appearance in biennales is the commencement of the Lagos biennale, organized by the Akete Art Foundation. This will present the country as major art capital and a rendezvous of critical discourse.

Let us create a lasting identity in the pages of biennales, an enduring impression in global artistic representation, an engraved mark of passion, commitment and honour, and a voice that echoes for centuries.   




Featured works: Peju Alatise, "Flying girls 2017"
                             Victor Ehikhamenor
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Comments

  1. UnknownJuly 4, 2017 at 11:00 AM

    This is a huge opportunity for us Nigerian artist to redefine our art to the Global Art world. A Wonderful piece you've done Matthew.

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