This autumn, London’s prestigious Tate Modern will host “Nigerian Modernism,” the first major UK exhibition dedicated to tracing the evolution of modern art in Nigeria. The exhibition will celebrate the groundbreaking work of Nigerian artists who skillfully blended Indigenous traditions with Western techniques to forge a unique and powerful artistic identity.
Spanning from the colonial era to post-independence Nigeria, the exhibition will feature over 250 works, including paintings, sculptures, textiles, and ceramics. It will showcase the creations of more than 50 artists over a 50-year period, from the legendary Ben Enwonwu to the globally acclaimed El Anatsui. These artists responded to the nation’s shifting political and social climate, challenging colonial narratives and creating a new African vision of Modernism.
The journey begins in the 1940s, a time of rising calls for decolonisation. It highlights pioneers like Aina Onabolu, known for his portraits of Lagos society, and Akinola Lasekan, who depicted Yoruba history and legends. The exhibition will also feature Ben Enwonwu, who adapted his Slade School education with his knowledge of Igbo sculpture, and Ladi Kwali, who masterfully combined traditional Gwarri pottery with European studio techniques.
A significant focus will be on the post-independence optimism of the 1960s and the influential Zaria Arts Society. Members like Uche Okeke, Demas Nwoko, and Bruce Onobrakpeya developed the “Natural Synthesis” concept, merging local art forms with modern expression. The article also notes the role of Ibadan’s Mbari Artists’ and Writers’ Club, a creative hub for figures like Chinua Achebe and Wole Soyinka.
The exhibition will also delve into the impact of the Nigerian Civil War (1967-1970), which shifted the artistic mood from unity to a reflection on conflict and a desire to reconnect. This section will explore the revival of ‘uli’ art by artists from the Nsukka Art School, who used the traditional Igbo linear designs to process the struggles of the war.
The showcase will conclude by examining the global Nigerian identity through the work of expatriate artist Uzo Egonu. His “Stateless People” series, which will be reunited for the first time in 40 years, reflects on nationhood and the growing visibility of the Nigerian diaspora.
“Nigerian Modernism” is presented in partnership with Access Holdings and Coronation Group, with support from the Ford Foundation and The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts. The exhibition is curated by Osei Bonsu, Curator of International Art, and Bilal Akkouche, Assistant Curator of International Art at Tate Modern.
