Friday, 10 January 2025

Meet new Alaafin of Oyo, Akeem Owoade


Born in 1974, Abimbola Akeem Owoade hails from the royal Owoade-Agunloye family of Oyo. The family is one of the surviving children of Pa Rasaki Ibiyosi Owoade. His lineage traces back to Aremo Aderounmu Iyanda Owoade from Agure Compound, Oyo, embedding him deeply in the cultural and historical fabric of the Oyo Kingdom.

Friday, 3 January 2025

Smithsonian to honour Onobrakpeya at 'The Mask and the Cross' closing ceremony

Dr Bruce Onobrakpeya.

THE renowned National Museum of African Art at the Smithsonian, U.S, is preparing to honour one of Africa’s greatest artistic icons, Prof. Bruce Onobrakpeya, in a grand closing ceremony for his groundbreaking exhibition, The Mask and the Cross.

Friday, 27 December 2024

How Win Arc's 'Art at Peace' showcased young artists

(L-R), One of the Art at Peace facilitator, Harry Ogada; Vice Chairman of Peace Estate, Alhaji Wasiu; Founder of Win Arc Centre, Archie Abia; and Engr Omojowo during the exhibition.

IT was a celebration of young artists' creativity as Peace Estate, Baruwa, Lagos State, had a feeling of art appreciation from Win Arc Centre's exhibition that marked the community's end of the year party.

Tuesday, 17 December 2024

'ArtMiabo 2025 to converge art, tech, commerce, investment'


Founder of AMIAF, Miabo Enyadike. File Pic: c/o AMIAF.

MARKETING, which is widely considered as the missing link in contemporary art appreciation space of artists in Africa, gets attention as ArtMiabo International Art Festival (AMIAF) heads for its 2025 edition. Ahead of the event, A-ARTs spoke with founder of AMIAF, Miabo Enyadike on the Artconomy: 2025: Redefining the Global Art Marketplace theme of the festival.

AMIAF holds in April 29-May 1, and April 30-May 2, 2025, at J.K. in Lagos, and FCT, Abuja, respectively.

Saturday, 23 November 2024

Portraits of stylish African women glows in Odetomi's splendid palettes

'Ajeyemisi' (mixed media on canvas, 144x144cm, dated 2023) by Abayomi Odetomi.

 By Ola Alowoloke 

GLORIFYING the powers of African women, especially in their youthful period attracts the palette of artist, Abayomi Odetomi. He creates radiant colours embedded with engaging aesthetics that make angelic imageries of the subjects. 

Saturday, 16 November 2024

Enwonwu's Elizabeth statue, others on display as 'Building A Nation...'

(L-R), Unnamed representative of auction house, Bonhams; Chairman of Coronation Group, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede; Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa; and D-G of NCMM, Olugbile Holloway during the opening of 'Building A Nation...' 

By Yemi Olakitan 

IT was all glitz and pageantry as the National Museum, Onikan, Lagos showcased an incredible exhibition, featuring Ben Enwonwu's 1956 masterpiece bronze sculpture of Queen Elizabeth II. The exhibition, which opened on Tuesday, November  12, 2024 also included other rare works of the late art genius.

Wednesday, 13 November 2024

Ori Olokun as visual narrative of cultural duality

By Tajudeen Sowole 
'Identity' (acrylic on canvas, 53 x 85cm, dated 2023) by Oluwafemi Omoboriowo.

OVER a century after the original Ife bronze, Ori Olokun, got missing in transit – from Ile-Ife, in Nigeria to wherever – artist, Oluwafemi Omoboriowo generates mixed cultural concept from the controversial artefact. Interestingly, the U.K, which played a part in the early years of the Ife head resurfaces in Omoboriowo's concept of cultural duality, using Ori-Olokun as the point of strange convergence.

Friday, 8 November 2024

Sogal auction's 'Roots' brings diversity of traditional, modern art

'Ikenga Mask' (wood & aluminium,
H76 x W25 x D25 cm, and dated 2017) by Okezie Okafor.

AS the preview for Sogal Art Auction 2024 is currently on going, with the theme Root, showcasing indigenous contents, the event focuses on African heritage and cultural roots, that bridges tradition and modernity. 

Thursday, 7 November 2024

Connecting contemporary, future art energies with Ini Brown's brushstrokes

By Tajudeen Sowole 

'Tender Bond' (acrylic on canvas, 48 x 36inches) by Ini Brown.

ACTIVELY or passively appreciating art comes with the beauty of continuous knowledge about artists and the trajectory of the region of practice. 

Monday, 4 November 2024

Art, not science, famed medical doctor David as world record holder

Fola David, after completing the drawing at Onikan Stadium...in Lagos.

THE Guinness World Record has announced Fola David as current holder of the largest drawing. The artist, who is also a medical doctor shared his joy on social media, Monday, November 2024.

Friday, 25 October 2024

Onobrakpeya donates Dictionary of Art to Janet Stanley Resource Center

'Alphabets', one of the illustrations by Bruce Onobrakpeya, inside the book.

IN a remarkable gesture of support for art education and cultural preservation, legendary Nigerian artist and scholar, Prof. Bruce Onobrakpeya, has donated the prestigious 34-volume Dictionary of Art published by Macmillan to the Janet Stanley Resource Center, located in Agbarha-Otor, Delta State. This invaluable contribution is poised to strengthen the resources available to young people, scholars, and future generations, as they delve into the profound study of art.

Thursday, 24 October 2024

'I am Work-in-Progress'

"I am work-in-progress"...Olaku speaking to two of the guests during the opening of Odyssey: A Retrospective of Olaku's Drawings and Paintings,' at National Museum Onikan Lagos... recently.

WHAT a journey it has been, so far.

Those first cautious and tentative steps have quickened and matured in direction and unambiguous intention since they were initiated about forty-eight (48) years ago.

Thursday, 17 October 2024

For rare art, Signature Beyond converges Ekwere, Raheem, Olarenwaju

'Kiss the Bride' (stained Apa wood, H86 x W26 x D35cm, dated 2024) by Alli Raheem.


WHEN Ebong Ekwere, Alli Raheem and Adeniyi Olarenwaju opens their exhibition titled after the names of the artists, from October 19-26, 2024, at Signature Beyond Art Gallery, 107, Awolowo Road Ikoyi Lagos. Kiss The Bride
Stained Apa Wood
H 86 X W26 X D35CM
2024