Sarah’s Stories on the Ground: Abuja's Rise in the Contemporary Art Scene

Abuja's art scene is on the rise. Over the past two years, Nigeria's federal capital has transformed into a hub for contemporary art. It may lack public art, a discussion for another day, but there's a vibrant array of weekly art shows to explore. Lagos isn't the only art and culture centre in Nigeria anymore; Abuja's art scene is stepping up its game.

Today, let's dive into the Abuja Open House art fair and unpack its theme for this year, "Catalytic Synthesis."

Imagine it as a 'treasure hunt' tailor-made for art enthusiasts and collectors. It's not your typical art scene – participants embark on a creative journey, hopping between over 10 unique venues across the city, from the familiar setting of traditional art galleries to the usually off-limit embassies and lobbies of hotels. Rising contemporary talents are discovered while seasoned, renowned artists dive into panel discussions, unravelling their creative journeys. The founder of this art fair and tongue-twisting theme name will be discussed shortly.

The grand final of the 4-day art fair caught my eye; it featured two singular artists exhibited at Fraser Suites. You might think this upscale hotel in the business district is just for official types during the week. But surprise – Fraser Suites in Abuja is not just a place for suits; it's also a big patron of contemporary art. They host art exhibitions every other month, featuring both up-and-coming and well-known artists. These shows are open to everyone. Check out what the hotel is doing: Luxury Hotel Apartments In Abuja | Fraser Suites Abuja (frasershospitality.com).

At Fraser Suites, Dr John Oyedemi and Akachukwu Chukwuemeka offered an unexpectedly stunning exhibition. Oyedemi, hailing from South Nigeria, is a professor of art at Ahmadu Bello University. This renowned institution produced Nigeria's pioneers of modern and contemporary, known as the Zaria rebels. Oyedemi, with 25 years of artistic dedication, brings to the fore his passion for the iconic northern Durbar tradition. A show of wealth and power of Northern Nigerian emirs, known as "Padanci" in the Hausa language, one of Nigeria's north main languages. When you gaze at his impressionist-style paintings, you can practically hear the thundering hooves of horses charging toward you. At a Durbar festival, the 'bannermen' of Sultans and Emirs deck themselves in ceremonial battle garb and mount horses. The parade is a vibrant and majestic show of their unwavering loyalty to the monarch. 

Akachukwu, a painter and poet, is just as dedicated to singular ideas as Oyedemi is. A graduate of Nsukka University, the other famed art university located in southeast Nigeria. You'd easily recognise its students using 'Uli' symbols, those curvy traditional designs that the Igbo people in southeastern Nigeria are known for. Akachukwu set out to break from the classic conventional oil canvas and traditional 'Uli'. He embarked on his "Forms from the Sky", a dreamlike and dazzling series featuring a hundred paintings that showcase his ingenuity and love for experimenting. His journey began when he dyed jeans for his university friends, selling them for 200 Naira each. 'Forms from the Sky' was sparked by childhood memories of gazing at the twilight sky. Fueled by a strong desire to carve out a unique artistic identity, Akachukwu delved into his surreal world, "it took me 8 years to accomplish," he reveals.

As we bid farewell to this edition of Open House, it's impossible not to applaud the driving force behind it, the visionary Ndubuisi Nduwhite Ahanonu. Nduwhite is a curator, visual artist and art activist shaping Abuja's art scene through his 'IICD Center's art foundation; check out its activities on IICD (iicdcentre.org). In a time when the flourishing Nigerian art scene is calling out for more public support, private initiatives such as Nduwhitee's are stepping up to fill the void. 

We hope you've appreciated our uncovering of contemporary Nigerian talents. Stay tuned as I reveal more contemporary artists from different corners of Africa.