Kano to see Northern Nigerian masterpieces

The display entitled ‘Kano Contemporary Arts Masterpieces’ is an effort of the Goethe Institut, Kano in collaboration with the Kano Heritage Society to showcase the wealth of Northern Nigerian art. Frank Roger, the director of the Goethe-Institut Liaison Office, Kano, said, “Since its inauguration in October 2008, the Kano Liaison Office of Goethe-Institut Nigeria intended […]

The display entitled ‘Kano Contemporary Arts Masterpieces’ is an effort of the Goethe Institut, Kano in collaboration with the Kano Heritage Society to showcase the wealth of Northern Nigerian art.

Frank Roger, the director of the Goethe-Institut Liaison Office, Kano, said, “Since its inauguration in October 2008, the Kano Liaison Office of Goethe-Institut Nigeria intended to feature an exhibition of contemporary arts from Kano. In collaboration with the Kano State History and Culture Bureau and the Kano Heritage Society, we are proud to finally host this show which displays a cross-section of the works of Kano’s most prominent artists.”

Kano, he says, is considered as a melting pot between cultures and has always been a cornerstone of Nigeria’s art scene. Its vibrant mix of cultures incorporates elements from Hausa as well as Fulani culture, Islamic as well as pre-Islamic and Christian traditions. As Kano has been a major trade capital for centuries, one can also find influences from other parts of Nigeria and all over the world.

Of the many versatile artists of Kano, he explained that although it was not an easy decision for the organisers to limit themselves to showcase only six artists, they hoped they’ve found an exciting representation of the Kano art scene. After being in Kano for one year and a half, the director said from what he had gathered and from being in the city for that period, there had been no exhibition like this.

“As I was told – and I can confirm this at least for the last one and a half years since I moved to Kano – there has not been an exhibition of this kind for a long time. I think this is a pity and it should really change. People should be able to experience the richness of culture. The general public should have more opportunities to get exposed to the varieties of expressions that the arts have to offer. In Germany, we say: “Art is food”. It reflects on our lives, it asks questions and provokes thoughts and emotions, it celebrates diversity and the various dimensions of life.”

To house the exhibition is the newly-renovated Gidan Bi Minista, which was built around the 16th century in the traditional Hausa architecture. It was expanded by erecting the upper floor in the beginning of the 20th century to host an arts and crafts school and has now been rightfully placed under monument status. Roger informed that this reporter that, “In 2009, Goethe-Institut Nigeria took great efforts to renovate the building and let it shine again in her ancient beauty. We intend to continue the tradition of the Gidan Bi Minista as a place to display, enjoy and discuss contemporary arts, thereby maintaining Goethe-Institut Nigeria’s work of cultural exchange and fostering bilateral understanding.”