Nigeria is set to present their national pavilion and exhibition ‘Nigeria Imaginary’ in the 60th International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia 2024.
The exhibition, scheduled to run from April 20th to November 24th, 2024, promises to take attendees on a captivating journey into the imaginative realms of Nigerian identity.
Curated by Nigerian-British curator Aindrea Emelife, who also serves as the Contemporary and Modern Art curator at MOWAA, “Nigeria Imaginary” explores diverse perspectives, memories, and nostalgia related to Nigeria. Embracing a cross-generational and inter-geographic scope, the exhibition further promises to unveil a wide range of viewpoints, constructed ideas, and cultural memories, with a roster of artists reflecting a mix of experiences from growing up in Nigeria and within the Diaspora.
Featuring eight artists, including Tunji Adeniyi-Jones, Ndidi Dike, Onyeka Igwe, Toyin Ojih Odutola, Abraham Oghobase, Precious Okoyomon, Yinka Shonibare CBE RA, and Fatimah Tuggar, the exhibition harmoniously blends voices from Nigeria and its Diaspora.
With a dynamic and cohesive narrative, the curated artworks invite viewers to reflect on Nigeria’s rich cultural identity. Emelife’s skillful curation ensures a thought-provoking experience that captures the essence of Nigeria’s past, present, and future.
The stewardship of the Nigerian Pavilion falls under the distinguished leadership of His Excellency Godwin Obaseki, the Governor of Edo State, who serves as the commissioner. Furthermore, Governor Obaseki entrusted the organization of the pavilion to the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) in Benin City, Edo State, acting on behalf of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and its Ministry of Culture and Information.
Aindrea Emelife said, “Nigeria Imaginary looks at the many Nigerias that live in our minds: the Nigeria that could be and is yet to be. The exhibition will explore different perspectives and constructed ideas, memories of and nostalgia for Nigeria, with a scope that is cross-generational and inter-geographic. The artists were selected for their unique visions of Nigeria, with a mixture of artists brought up in Nigeria and within the Diaspora curated to capture a sense of optimism imbued in inherited and collective cultural history. Articulated through many fields of reference and artistic disciplines, Nigeria Imaginary is a restless investigation of the present and a defiant imagining of what is yet to come.”
This momentous occasion marks the second time a Nigerian pavilion has graced La Biennale di Venezia’s exhibitions. The historical Palazzo in Dorsoduro, near the Gallerie dell’Accademia, will host the Nigerian Pavilion, providing an expansive venue for the Biennale. Governor Godwin Obaseki expressed his honour and privilege to serve as the Commissioner for the Nigerian Pavilion, stating, “This exhibition encourages us to revisit the past in order to create a bright future for Nigeria.” He also emphasized the alignment of the exhibition with the vision of the Edo State Government for promoting socio-cultural and economic development through art and tourism.
An expanded presentation of the Nigerian Pavilion, also curated by Emelife, will travel to MOWAA in 2025. This will be the inaugural exhibition in the Rainforest Gallery, the new contemporary art space in the MOWAA Creative District.
