Contemporary African Art Exhibition Series

Africa Applauded

Posted under News on April 3rd 2011

As contemporary African Art series ‘As It Is!’ comes to a close at The Mojo Gallery, the exhibition heralds the end of a ground breaking series of exhibitions highlighting the creative talent of the magnificent continent that is Africa.  Often maligned in the art world, the project was conceived to highlight Africa’s contemporary visual arts on an international stage like no other.  ‘Africa Applauded!’ the final exhibition in this 4 part series of exhibitions, was a celebration of this achievement. Furthermore, by taking place during one of the most prestigious events on the international art calendar, Art Dubai, Africa was announcing its rightful place on the world stage!

The fourth and final exhibition ‘Africa Applauded!’ opened its doors on the evening of 14th March at The Mojo Gallery, as part of Al Serkal Avenue Galleries Opening Night, which was one of the various art related events occurring around the city before the opening of Art Dubai. Guest artist Jacob Jari and Curator Annabelle Nwanko – Mu’azu joined art enthusiasts, dignitaries and VIP guests, surrounded by breathtaking artworks by just a few of Africa’s most celebrated artists - El Anatsui, Obiageli Okigbo, Atta Kwami, Nnenna Okore, Sokari Douglas Camp, Godfried Donkor and Jacob Jari.

The stand alone masterpiece by El Anatsui, ‘New World Map’, hung magnificent, the message in the piece poignant proclaiming a new world order, with Africa, The Middle East, Asia and Australasia as the emerging super powers, was the topic of conversation, not only at the exhibition but during Art Dubai, with tremendous coverage in the media. 

Obiageli Okigbo’s beautiful piece, ‘La Pieta - Predominantly Violet’ was resplendent and poetic, as was the installation of Nnenna Okore titled ‘Anyanwu’, suspended from the gallery ceiling.  As a stark contrast to Okore’s textural and ethereal earthy pieces, Atta Kwame’s explorations of colour fields popped and sang with colours of his native Ghana.

The audience marvelled at Jari’s ‘handmade paper beads’ installations and his infectious ‘drinking straw’ painting, ‘Brighton’ (already snapped up by a London based Nigerian collector a day before) and listened intently as he talked about his ‘bullet hole’ series of works in which he fuses left over material, discarded by the tailor, overlaid on a defaced canvas frame punctured with tiny individual holes created by a hot metal implement, made with his own hands and heated on
a coal fire.

Other works were snapped up by collectors, including a selection of Godfried Donkor’s FT Flags, the Saudi and Iraqi flags proving popular, and the splendid, witty steel sculptures of a typically Nigerian lady in traditional dress, ‘Walworth Lady’ by Sokari Douglas Camp was red tagged.

There was a buzz and energy like no other opening. With the rhythms of Africa playing in the background, thanks to Afroganic and Virgin Megastore and canopies and great cocktails by Bombay Sapphire’s mixologist flowing, the atmosphere at the gallery was electric and Africa and her powerful artists was enjoying her audience.

Comments

Leave your comment

Name (required)
Email (will not be published, required)
Website (optional)