Nigerian Modernists Return For Art Dubai 2017

By Tajudeen Sowole

When Nigerian modernists, Ben Osawe (1931-2007) and Muraina Oyelami b.1940 are shown among works of other artists from across the world at Art Dubai from March 15 - 18, 2017, in UAE, a taste of Nigerian modernism would return to the yearly global art space.

Muraina Oyelami’s ‘One Apartment’ in 1969, Oil on hardboard, 50×60.5cm, PIC: Courtesy of the Artist and TAFETA

  In the past few years - except the last edition - Nigerian galleries and artists, across modernism and contemporary periods, have been showing at Art Dubai. Recall that in 2015, master

Expanding art appreciation with Araba

Taking art appreciation to an uncommon territory by establishing a gallery outside the art hub of the Lagos and Victoria Islands is no doubt a bold step. And when the name of the gallery connotes strength, there seems to be assurance of sustainability.

Director at Araba Gallery, Subomi Decker and a guest during the opening of the gallery

  The Alausa axis of Ikeja, near the Mall, does not look like a haven for art connoisseurs and afficianodo. But, Araba Art Gallery, which just opened for business a week ago would have to prove that it is not exactly

How Affordable Exposed New Art Market Digits

By Tajudeen Sowole

When a third art auction, The Affordable, surfaced on the list of Arthouse Contemporary's sales last year, the aim was to promote art appreciation of below N500,000 price. But as U.K.-based auctioneer, John Dabney's hammer started falling on the lots at Kia Motor Showroom, Victoria Island, Lagos, during The Affordable's second edition, the rising digits seemed unstoppable.

Child Labour 2, dated 2011 by late Ben Osaghae as the highest sold at Affordable auction

Given the success of the first edition, Arthouse has raised the digits for the 2017 Affordable to sales

At London auction, Nigerian master, Enwonwu 'sets world record'

By Tajudeen Sowole

On Wednesday, a unique edition of an iconic sculpture, Anyanwu by famous Nigerian artist, Ben Enwonwu (1917-1994) was sold for an auction world record price of £353,000 at Bonhams Africa Now - Modern Africa Sale in London.

  

Anyanwu (bronze), sold for £353,000 at Bonhams Africa Now

Estimated at £150,000-200,000, Anyanwu, however exceeded the target and gave the late modernist master his world record.

 A statement from Bonhams put the total sale of the 2017 Africa Now auction at "more than £1.4 million." Other sales

that boosted the auction included The Duet, by Yusuf Grillo which sold for £87,500; Negritude by Enwonwu which made £83,750; The Glory of Ancient Benin, Song of the City by Enwonwu, 

How ‘Art Of Alternative Space’ May Shape Lagos In 2017

ByTajudeen Sowole
For the dual factors of contemporary expression and growing number of artists in need of art exhibition space, alternative outlets outside the traditional gallery facilities are most likely to be on the increase in the year 2017. Last year - strangely - the volume of art exhibitions in Lagos was shared almost equally between the regular art galleries and alternative outlets.

Artists, David Akinola, Blessing Ibie and Chima Enwezor during the opening of Revolving Art Incubator at Silverbird Galleria

Non-regular art gallery space for art exhibition is not exactly new on the Nigerian art landscape, except that the last few years exposed a gradual increase. The non-art gallery space

African Art Galleries Converge On New York

More than 60 contemporary artists, who are described as of emerging and established profile, will be represented by art galleries from Africa and other parts of the world at 2017 New York edition of 1:54 Contemporary African Art Fair, holding from May 5–7. 

Visitors at the last edition of 1:54 Fair

  Each year, 1:54 aims to welcome a carefully selected roster of galleries that are dedicated to promoting a diverse set of African perspectives from across the world. This year, the fair will welcome nine new galleries to further broadening perspectives from and in relation to the continent.
  Among the exhibitors are 19 galleries from Angola, Côte d’Ivoire, France, Ghana, Italy, Kenya, Morocco, the UK, the US and South Africa. Participating Galleries include

'Rare’ Enwonwu, Grillo Works Lead Africa Now Auction In London

ONE of the bronze sculptures titled ‘Anyanwu’ from the famous series by Ben Enwonwu (1917-1994) has been estimated to lead the lots for sales at Bonhams Africa Now auction, holding on February 15, 2017 in London.

The Dust, oil-on-board by Yusuf Grillo

  Few days ago, Bonham’s modern African art specialist, Giles Peppiatt, briefed select guests in Lagos about the auction. Though a shift from the yearly May date of the sales at Bonhams, the African Now Modern 2017 is, however, sustaining its usual display of quite a lot of artists from Nigeria and other African countries.
  Also among the lots estimated to lead the sales are two “rare” paintings, ‘The Dust,’ a 1972 non-bluish cubism style and ‘Can It Be True,’ a 1986 -1992 oil-on-board by living Nigerian modernist, Yusuf Grillo (b. 1934), included in the lots seen at the preview is another rare painting, ‘Adam and Eve’

The Manuscript As Basic, Fountain of Art

AS much as contemporary process of creating art broadens creativity scope beyond traditions, drawing as a fundamental component of art appears to be asserting its revered spot. Between the choice of sustaining draughtsmanship skill as a tradition in creating an artwork,or  allowing forces of contemporaneity to determine its future, quite a number of artists are still rooting for the former.

Akanimoh's pastel titled Nkiru

Among such artists of tradition and conservative leanings are 20 draughtsmen, whose skills in the art of drawing go on display as The Manuscript, from Sunday, February 19, 2017 at Omenka Gallery, Ikoyi, Lagos.
  Do you really need drawing skill to be an artist in 21st century contemporary period? As ‘stupid’ as that question may sound, surprisingly it would most likely divide artists’ lines of arguments in the middle were there to be a debate. Irrespective of which forms of art an artist does, one thinks draughsmanship as a basic requirement is taken for granted.
  ‘Learn the rules before breaking it,’

The protests 2face should have led

Popular Afro-pop musician, Innocent Idibia, whose stage name is 2face came into the mainstream news, in the last few weeks after announcing to lead nation wide protest. His protests, he said, would be aiming at Buhari-led government’s handling of the nation’s economy.

2face Idibia

  As much as it is within the musician’s right to lead protests, he also need to do a self assessment of he could have contributed to prevent the current state of Nigerian economy.

  As a popular musician with strong fans base, 2face should have used his popularity to denounce mismanagement of