The Nigerian Pavilion at the 60th Venice Biennale, an international contemporary art exhibition running from April to November 2024, has attracted significant attention from prominent visitors from various sectors.
The Venice Biennale is one of the most prestigious art exhibitions in the world and is held every two years in Venice, Italy.
It attracts artists, curators and enthusiasts from around the world and displays cutting-edge works of art.
In a statement sent to PREMIUM TIMES on Thursday, the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA), which installed the Nigerian Pavilion at the ongoing Venice Biennale, announced that it has attracted more than 50,000 visitors.
They said guests, who have experienced the Nigerian Pavilion, have shared favorable reviews in the international media.
MOWAA said: “The excellence of the Nigerian exhibition ensured its coveted inclusion in the Biennale’s roundup of best pavilions.”
The feat was also chronicled in several major art publications, including Art in America, ARTnews, The Evening Standard, Forbes, Harper's Bazaar, The New York Times, The New York Times: T Magazine and W Magazine, among others, the statement added. . .
Article page with financial support promotion Exceptional recognition
MOWAA, a Benin-based non-profit organization committed to preserving West African heritage, promoting cultural education and raising the visibility of the region's artistic diversity, highlighted that the pavilion has caught the attention of art enthusiasts. art, curators and critics alike.
MOWAA said this further cements Nigeria's growing status as a creative force on the global stage.
Titled 'Nigeria Imaginary', the pavilion was commissioned by the Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Arts and Culture and represented by the Minister of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa.
The exhibition presented notable contemporary Nigerian art and served as a testament to MOWAA's vision and curatorial expertise.
MOWAA highlighted the success of the pavilion, underlining the growing international interest in modern art from Nigeria and West Africa. It shows the creative depth and cultural richness of the region.
Furthermore, MOWAA noted that the pavilion has attracted visits from several prominent Nigerian figures since its inception more than six months ago.
Notably, Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka, during his visit, described the pavilion as a space rich in art, history and emotion.
Mr. Soyinka: “What I have seen today, for me, has been very satisfactory. It is full on its own. It is at once artistic, historical and evocative. It goes from the lyrical, the lyrical, to, how do you say, the contrasting and sculptural aspect of our society.”
Likewise, Ms. Musawa conveyed her Ministry’s eagerness to partner with private organizations to highlight Nigeria’s vibrant cultural heritage.
“We are committed to working with private sector institutions and foundations like MOWAA, and see Nigeria Imaginary as a shining example of what can be achieved through partnerships. “We see this as the beginning of a long-term collaboration with MOWAA and look forward to further successes,” the minister said.
Characteristics
The NGO said the pavilion showcased the works of an intergenerational group of eight Nigerian and Nigerian diaspora artists, curated by Aindrea Emelife of MOWAA.
Featured artists (Tunji Adeniyi-Jones, Ndidi Dike, Onyeka Igwe, Toyin Ojih Odutola, Abraham Oghobase, Yinka Shonibare CBE RA, Fatimah Tuggar and Precious Okoyomon) delve into intricate narratives surrounding history, identity and the future.
MOWAA highlighted the success of the pavilion, underlined by its extensive and favorable international media coverage since its opening.
“The Pavilion has appeared widely in print and online media, including featured articles in leading newspapers: The Financial Times, The Guardian, The Washington Post through The Associated Press, Le Monde, The Evening Standard and The Times UK, among others. others. ; major art and architecture sectors including Artforum, The Art Newspaper, ARTnews, ArtReview and Frieze; high-impact lifestyle media: Hemispheres and Vogue; and major media and broadcast media, such as the BBC and The Associated Press, including coverage on NBC News.
MOWAA announced plans to bring the Nigeria Imaginary exhibition back to Nigeria, where it will be displayed at the MOWAA campus in Edo State, following the Biennale.
“Our goal is to ensure that the exhibition not only continues to shine at the Biennale but thrives when it returns to Nigeria.”
Nigeria debuted at the 57th edition of the Venice Biennale, held between May 13 and November 26, 2017, with the theme 'How about now?'