Afrigather L-R: Olugbile Holloway, director basic, Nationwide Fee for Museums and Monuments and Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, art-lover and chairman, Coronation Group Restricted, on the opening of the exhibition on the Nationwide Museum, Onikan, Lagos not too long ago.
The Nationwide Fee for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), in partnership with Coronation Group Restricted and Bonhams, advantageous artwork auctioneers, opened a brand new museum exhibit, which takes a dynamic look into the profession of
Ben Enwonwu, Nigerian grasp sculptor.
Entitled ‘Constructing a Nation – Ben Enwonwu and the Impression of Sculpture’, the brand new exhibition on the Nationwide Museum, Onikan, Lagos, is one other vital step in preserving Nigeria’s creative and cultural legacy. That includes greater than a dozen of Enwonwu’s world-famous works – together with his1957 masterpiece portrait statue of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II – the brand new exhibition highlights the artist’s enduring affect on Nigerian and pan-African artwork throughout the globe.
In 1950, Enwonwu was described as “Africa’s biggest artist” and has since been labelled a modernist icon. In his world travels, he grew to become a staunch proponent of the Harlem renaissance, the negritude motion, and spent a long time serving to to extend the visibility of recent African artwork whereas preserving antiquities.
The museum exhibition, which opened on November 12, 2024 was attended by Hannatu Musa Musawa, Minister of Artwork, Tradition, Tourism and Artistic Economic system; Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, philanthropist, art-lover, and chairman, Coronation Group Restricted; Marc Fonbaustier, ambassador, Embassy of France in Nigeria; Olugbile Holloway, director basic, Nationwide Fee for Museums and Monuments; Florent Mangin, head, Regional Financial Division for Nigeria and Ghana, French Embassy in Nigeria, amongst different artwork fanatic and stakeholders.
In his remarks on the occasion, Aig-Imoukhuede highlighted the necessity for the personal sector to be an integral a part of Africa’s cultural preservation motion.
“In Nigeria, as in lots of African nations, we face a profound duty to protect our artwork and heritage,” the Coronation Group chairman mentioned.
“If we lose our artwork, our tradition, and our expressions, we danger dropping elements of ourselves. It’s important for us, as people and establishments, to help and maintain the work of leaders within the arts and tradition sector, which is why Coronation is collaborating with NCMM and Bohmans at this occasion.
“True preservation, nonetheless, will come from the dedication of individuals such as you and me—individuals prepared to put money into our cultural legacy. As we speak, I urge all of us to take pleasure in our wealthy creative heritage and advocate for its survival. I sit up for the day when future generations can stroll via these museums, simply as we did, impressed and linked to their roots. Allow us to share the journey with others, help our artwork, and assist elevate Nigerian and African tradition to new heights,” Aig-Imoukhuede mentioned additional.
On his half, the NCMM director basic famous that the exhibition had a core concentrate on drawing parallels between historic Nigerian artwork and trendy creative expressions, exploring Enwonwu’s position in shaping cultural and nationwide id, notably within the years previous Nigeria’s independence.
“We’re right here in the present day to pay homage to the previous, not simply our battle for independence, but additionally the spirit of self-determination that was burning throughout our continent on the time. I’m not positive it’s potential to talk of a renewed hope agenda with out alluding to renewed heritage first. The Nationwide Fee for Museums and Monuments stays dedicated to making sure that our previous will not be left to decay, and I invite you all to hitch us on this epic journey,” Holloway mentioned.
Neil Coventry, researcher and Artwork historian, defined that all through historical past, sculptures have served as highly effective vessels for capturing and preserving cultural narratives, as Ben Enwonwu’s work makes use of the sculptural type to delve into complicated themes like African id and Nigeria’s cultural
narrative.
“This exhibition highlights the importance of storytelling via Enwonwu’s sculptures, which breathe life into historic, non secular and social narratives, connecting Nigeria’s previous with its future.
“By presenting Enwonwu’s sculptures alongside the Nationwide Museum’s everlasting assortment, guests are invited to mirror on the continuum between historic and trendy artwork.
“This juxtaposition demonstrates how artists via their mastery of type and image have used sculpture throughout centuries as a method to doc, critique and encourage,” he mentioned.
Nevertheless, the gates of the enduring Nationwide Museum in Lagos are open to artwork lovers who wish to discover a few of Ben Enwonwu’s masterpieces till the top of the week.
