How amazons marked their day with one book, 26 artworks

For the crème de la crème of Nigerian women who converged within the precinct of Wheatbaker Hotel, Ikoyi, Lagos to witness the launch of a book and the opening of a new art exhibition, there perhaps could not have been a better day to celebrate fellow amazons than the globally acclaimed Day for Women.   […]

For the crème de la crème of Nigerian women who converged within the precinct of Wheatbaker Hotel, Ikoyi, Lagos to witness the launch of a book and the opening of a new art exhibition, there perhaps could not have been a better day to celebrate fellow amazons than the globally acclaimed Day for Women.

 

The gathering, which organisers described as a “Private Collectors’ preview of ‘The Art of Nigerian Women’ book and the opening of Standing Out II, an art exhibition, offered insight into remarkable feats so far recorded by Nigerian women in the nation’s creative industry. 

 

Of significance is the fact that the 360-page book being launched at the event featured prominently, the work of 75 leading and emerging contemporary visual artists, whom some have even described as “Nigeria’s brightest.” The works of the visual artists were complemented with scholarly essays, features and profiles of women who have influenced and helped shape the art industry in Nigeria.

“The journey of researching, writing, and publishing The Art of Nigerian Women has been a labour of love which started in 2011,” Chukwuemeka Bosah, the book’s publisher said.

Bosah’s effort has indeed received applause of the renowned artist and Professor Emeritus of Miami University, Prof. Dele Jegede, who in his essay described The Art of Nigerian Women as “a pioneering work that deserves a prominent place on the shelves of corporate, institutional, college, and personal libraries. Bosah deserves admiration for the courage and resources ploughed into this work.”

“Chukwuemeka Bosah’s book celebrating female artists is a timely gift to Africa and the world. We are delighted that the powerful work of our female artists is being projected in this beautiful publication,” Chief Nike Okundaye, a long-standing mentor to generations of female artists said.

Aside the book launch, there was also the kick-start of an art exhibition. Tagged; Standing Out II, the art exhibition has put on display works of 10 female artists of Nigerian descent. In all, 26 artworks, cutting across paintings, photographs, mixed media works, thread & ceramic installation, created by Ngozi Ezema, Amami Isiuwe, Bunmi Oyesanya-Ayaoge, Data Oruwari, Marcellina Oseghale-Akpojotor, Olawunmi Banjo, Omo Udenta, Ozoz Sokoh, Sade Adebowale & Taiye Idahor are now on display.

Organisers said the aims and objectives of the exhibition revolve around how women continue to break through and overcome physical, psychological, emotional, professional and societal boundaries with unforgiving energy.

“Standing Out II is our way of contributing to this year’s World Women’s Day theme, #BeBoldForChange, by presenting the work of ten leading and emerging female artists featured in Bosah’s new book,” Mosun Ogunbanjo, Director of the LCA said. “The paintings and mixed media and installation works express the artist’s thoughts on diversity and identity, spirituality, environment, culture and celebration, history and memory through unabashed creative experimentation.”

According to Sandra Mbanefo Obiago of SMO Contemporary Art and the Wheatbaker’s long -standing art curator, The Art of Nigerian Women is a testament to the awesome “rising tide” of female artists in Nigeria and which was being captured in the exhibition- Standing Out II.

The book will be available for purchase at leading Nigerian bookstores and on Amazon from mid-March, 2017. Women publishing project was supported by GTBank, The Guardian, XL Africa Group, The Wheatbaker, SMO Contemporary Art,  Global Energy Company, Veuve Clicquot, Knowledge Exchange Center, Max10, UpByFive, Arik Airlines, and committed art patrons, Obiagbo said.