Nigerian Contemporary Artists in Abuja
Book Synopsis
Of Souls, Ascents, and Stillness is a curated anthology offering a rare window into contemporary Nigerian painting. The volume brings together essays, artist profiles, and over 160 high-quality reproductions by 31 painters working in Abuja, Nigeria’s federal capital.
Curated by Nigerian artist Sor Sen, the book is shaped by in-studio conversations that explore culture, tradition, and global influences, revealing the intellectual and visual frameworks underpinning each practice. The narrative unfolds through dialogue and proximity rather than chronology, allowing individual voices to resonate with clarity.
The publication has been presented in institutional contexts, including Centre Pompidou (Centre Beaubourg) and the Jacques Chirac Museum in Paris, and has received critical attention in the press for its editorial rigor and visual quality.
Printed in France by an artbook printer with over a century of expertise, the book features matte-textured paper, high-quality colour reproduction, and a contemporary layout with generous white space. A flexible hardcover with a sewn spine ensures durability while preserving elegance.
Both an art object and a documentary record, Of Souls, Ascents, and Stillness is an essential reference for collectors, researchers, and readers seeking a deeper understanding of Nigerian contemporary art.
In the media
In the media A Case for Poetic Print and Brush Strokes in Abuja – THISDAYLIVE
Shipping
Available for delivery to:
France, Austria, Belgium, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, UK and the U.S.
For other destinations, please contact us via WhatsApp +33 6 73 64 45 53.
In-store availability
– Abuja, Lagos Nigeria: Roving Heights
– Dakar, Senegal: La FNAC
About the artist
Sahr Martin Kabba, known professionally as Sabanoh, is a self-taught Sierra Leonean multidisciplinary artist working across graphic design, photography, sound, film, creative direction, and cultural community-building. His Temne name — translated in Krio as “Nar wi gɛt ya,” meaning “we own here” — anchors his commitment to creating from within his environment and contributing to Sierra Leone’s visual identity.
His practice draws from community photographs, coastal scenes, restored archives, and everyday encounters, which he reorganises into new compositions grounded in place and memory. Beyond his personal work, he has contributed to cultural initiatives such as A.W.A.T.S (African Women and Their Stories) and other emerging creative communities.
His collaborations include commissions and features with NBA Africa, Cambridge University, It’s Nice That, i-D, and the Arsenal × Adidas × Labrum Salone chapter campaign, where he served as Assistant DOP. His film work includes Gboroka (Creative Direction, Graphic Design, Sound Design) and creative and sound contributions to Sansan.
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