Omenkamagazine

18/04/2024

'Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York to Enhance Emphasis on African Art'

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, the world's fourth most visited museum aims to present its millions of visitors with a more globally inclusive perspective, emphasizing art from Africa and its rich cultural heritage spanning 3,000 years.

With a move to reopen the Michael C. Rockefeller wing in 2025, the museum which houses about 4000 African works plans to engage a broader perspective with a less Eurocentric view showcasing works of African origin.

09/04/2024

Leading Nigerian artist Oliver Enwonwu has been selected as the first recipient to participate in the newly launched artist residency programme by King Charles in collaboration with star rugby player Maro Itoje and gallerist Khalil Akar. Organised through The King’s Foundation and The Akoje Foundation, it will take place at Dumfries House, the king’s estate in Scotland.

Enwonwu is a third-generation artist; his grandfather was a reputable traditional sculptor, while his father, Professor Ben Enwonwu, MBE, is celebrated as Africa’s pioneer modernist artist. Enwonwu is a well-recognised leader in the Nigerian arts and culture sector with about 20 years of experience in art advisory, programme management, as well as strategy and development.

Photo credit: [email protected]

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12/03/2024

Kimathi Donkor is set to showcase his 'Black History Paintings' at the Niru Ratnam Gallery from March 15th to April 20th.

Donkor’s work re-imagines mythic, legendary and everyday encounters across Africa and its global diasporas, principally in painting, but also through drawing, video, assemblage, collage, digital design, performance and installation. His paintings address historic figures like Toussaint L’Ouverture and Harriet Tubman, as well as contemporary themes such as urban political dissent or the pursuit of leisure, beauty and knowledge.

07/03/2024

Omenka Gallery joins the Lagos Gallery Weekend celebrating the vibrant art scene in Lagos running on the 9th and 10th of March.

01/12/2023

Hibiscus Rising by Yinka Shonibare CBE has been unveiled in Leeds. The 10m tall Hibiscus flower was created in memory of David Oluwale, a British Nigerian resident of Leeds who drowned in the River Aire in 1969 after systematic oppression by the police.

Yinka Shonibare MBE was born in 1962 in London. He holds a bachelor's degree in fine art from Byam School of Art, England and a masters of fine art degree from Goldsmiths College, England. Shonibare’s work explores issues of race and class through the media of painting, sculpture, photography and film. Nominated for the Turner Prize in 2004, Shonibare has also been elected a Royal Academician and was awarded the honour of 'Commander of the Order of the British Empire' in 2019.

Image: Courtesy of Leeds year of culture 2023

28/10/2022

Meet the speakers: ‘Art as an Alternative Investment’ — Onyinye Anyaegbu

Onyinye Anyaegbu, a business innovator with over 10 years of experience working across product and business development, established ARTSPLIT to make art investment accessible while aiming to “democratise the arts industry known for its exclusivity and elitism.” Anyaegbu is also the Chief Executive of Chude and Ego Foundation and worked previously as the Senior Human Resources Manager at GSK.

(Click on link in bio to register to attend)

25/10/2022

Meet the speakers: ‘Art as an Alternative Investment’ — Oliver Enwonwu.

Art historian, publisher, curator and artist, Oliver Enwonwu is the founder, executive director, and trustee of The Ben Enwonwu Foundation, the director and founder of Omenka Gallery, as well as CEO of Revilo Company, publishers of Omenka, Africa’s first art, business and luxury-lifestyle magazine and Network, the bi-monthly magazine of the Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce.

He is a Fellow of the Institute of Management Consultants (FIMC, CMC) and sits on the board of several organisations including the Lagos Biennial. From 2009 to July 2021, Enwonwu served as the President of the Society of Nigerian Artists, established in 1963 as the umbrella professional body for all artists in Nigeria.

Previously, he served on the Reproduction Rights Society of Nigeria, Alliance Française Lagos as the Vice President as well as the governing board of the National Gallery of Art, Nigeria and was appointed member of the Advisory Group on Technology and Creativity in the Nigeria Industrial Policy and Competitiveness Advisory Council, chaired by His Excellency, the Vice President of Nigeria. In addition, he was appointed by the Federal Government as Chairman, Visual Arts Sub-Committee of the Post-COVID-19 Initiative for the Creative Industry.

(Click on link in bio to register to attend)

25/10/2022

Meet the speakers: ‘Art as an Alternative Investment’ — Bimpe Nkontchou.

Bimpe Nkontchou is a wealth advisor and keen enthusiast and collector of African art. She is the Managing Principal at W8 Advisory based in Kensington. Established in 2014, the boutique firm provides family, office and asset management services to African HNWs with a strong presence in the UK. Nkontchou was recently included in the list of “100 Women to Watch 2020” as a leading female professional suited for board positions on FTSE companies.
Bimpe Nkontchou is a member of African Arts Acquisition Committee of Les Amis du Centre Pompidou (Paris, France) and a trustee of the Yinka Shonibare Foundation, founded by the celebrated Nigerian – British artist, to build and support an artists’ residency in Lagos.

(Click on link in bio to register to attend)

24/10/2022

Meet the speakers: ‘Art as an Alternative Investment’ — Oba Nsugbe.

Regarded as a leading practitioner in the UK and Nigeria, Oba Nsugbe KC, SAN has a broad international practice focussing on Africa-related litigation and dispute resolution. He provides high-level advice and representation for individuals, corporate clients and other organisations, (including NGOs), in matters ranging from business crime and corrupt practices to contractual and corporate disputes. His ongoing international work includes advising the Swiss Government in its case against Nigeria before ITLOS, acting as joint lead Counsel for two US companies in only Nigeria’s second case at ICSID, and Counsel in a multi-jurisdictional claim for families of multiple victims of the Dana Air Crash in Lagos in 2012. He advised and appeared for the Lagos State Government in arbitral proceedings instituted against it following the collapse of Enron and the termination of various related contracts entered into by the State. Nsugbe has also provided expert advice and evidence on issues of Nigerian law to a wide range of institutional, corporate and individual clients ranging from Treasury Solicitors to leading City firms and business entrepreneurs. In February 2021, he was recognised as one of Africa’s top 30 arbitrators in Africa’s Arbitration Power list Awards administered by the Africa Arbitration Academy.

(Click on link in bio to register to attend)

24/10/2022

Meet the speakers: ‘Art as an Alternative Investment’ — Ruarc Peffers.

Ruarc Peffers is a senior art specialist and the managing director of Aspire Auctions, Johannesburg. He began his career at Stephan Welz & Co in association with Sotheby's where he progressed to the position of director and head of the art department. Peffers studied at the University of Edinburgh graduating with a Master of Science degree in modern art: history, curating and criticism. He then joined the primary market with Blank Projects, Goodman Gallery and the NGO field with the Visual Arts Network of South Africa. He has worked on many local and international art fairs – most recently Frieze London and Cape Town Art Fair. He regularly conducts charity auctions for Artist Proof Studios, ABSA, Art Angels, Bag Factory, the Cancer Association, Diane Victor, Lesley Perkes, Stop Sign Art Gallery, University of Stellenbosch and the Wits School of Art.

(Click on link in bio to register to attend)

24/10/2022

Meet the speakers: ‘Art as an Alternative Investment’ — Giles Peppiatt.

Giles Peppiatt studied at St. Andrews University in Scotland before joining Bonhams in 1989. In 1993, he trained as an auctioneer, conducting his first sale that year. He qualified with the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors as a 'Chartered Arts & Antiques Surveyor' in 1997.

Peppiatt established the 'The South African Sale' in 2007; a field in which Bonhams now leads the market. Continuing with his work with African art, he presented the first London sale of Contemporary African Art, 'Africa Now, in April 2009. These auctions have established London as the global centre for South African art.

(Click on link in bio to register to attend)

24/10/2022

ARTSPLIT in collaboration with Omenka Online will on November 4 present the next in its seminar series themed ‘Art as an Alternative Investment’.

Begun in 2012, the seminar is timely in increasing knowledge amongst collectors, wealth managers and financial institutions alike, as African art continues to rise in value domestically and internationally.

The 2022 edition will highlight the African art market trends and performance as well as outline the benefits of art in strategic portfolio diversification.

29/04/2022

13/04/2022

Your exhibition The Golden Ages of Icons touches on the erasure of women in art. Please tell us more about your motivation behind this?

During my research process, I discovered the work of Lady Constance Afiong Ekong and having dug fairly deep, I found that she had a major impact on the art industry in the 60s and was the founding member of the Society of Nigerian Artists (SNA) as well as the first gallerist in the country. What I find most intriguing is her artistic practice. She was a multidisciplinary artist, which of course resonates deeply with me. However, what I find strange is how her work and impact were not included in any of the Nigerian art history books I studied! This made me curious to see what I could do to educate people not just about her but about other women like Clara Etso Ugbodaga-Ngu. This inspired the exhibition, which is my way of honouring and centring these icons who have impacted my work and the arts.

(Click on link in bio to read more)

10/04/2022

What, in your opinion, makes Paris a great destination for the 1:54 fair?

Originally the Paris edition was a solution for the Marrakech location which could not hold because of the pandemic. The three years of hosting the Marrakech edition have brought a cross-pollination of French and Belgium collectors who have been in attendance. The goal was to find a location that brings a similar appeal and interest to the audience visiting the fair. With that, thanks to the collaboration with Christie’s, we were able to explore a new city and a new community of collectors despite the COVID restrictions.

The Paris edition was intended to be a one-off, but with the cancellation of this year’s Marrakech, we decided to apply the same model from last year. It seems that it worked pretty well for the galleries, and they were excited to do it again. Hence why we collaborated with Christie’s again and set a date in April instead of February or March.

(Click on link in bio to read more)

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31/03/2022

Wanuri Kahiu is a film director, producer, and author. Kahiu is an alumna of UCLA’s master’s program in film directing and made her professional debut in 2006, directing a behind-the-scenes documentary, 'The Spark that Unites'. She is well known for her film 'Rafiki' which became Kenya’s first film to debut at the Cannes Film Festival in 2018.

She has received several awards and nominations for her films directed, including the awards for Best Director, Best Screenplay and Best Picture at the Africa Movie Academy Awards in 2009 for her 'From a Whisper' film. Kahiu has had a number of films under her name including 'Pumzi', which won awards at Cannes and the Venice film festival.

The filmmaker is also the co-founder of AFROBUBBLEGUM, a media collective dedicated to supporting African art.

30/03/2022

Sokari Douglas Camp, creates her works primarily in steel. Her often large-scale sculptures make frequent reference to her Nigerian roots, at the same time encompassing contemporary international issues. Douglas Camp is one of the winners of the Memorial for Ken Saro-Wiwa in London and was also one of the shortlisted artists for the Fourth Plinth in 2003.

Douglas Camp first exhibited at October Gallery in 1985. She has been presented in numerous solo exhibitions and group shows in Great Britain, Europe, Japan, New Zealand and the United States. In 2005, was awarded a CBE in recognition of her services to art.

The artist was selected for Ichihara Art X Mix 2020, Japan and created the largescale sculpture Manmade for the festival. She was also one of the international artists selected to create a column for STOA169 in Polling, Germany; a globally unique artist columned permanent hall that unites contemporary artistic ideas and different cultural concepts in one place.

29/03/2022

In 2005, Lisa Folawiyo began her fashion label, Jewel by Lisa from her home. By ornately embellishing local adire, the brain behind the label is credited with elevating the fabric to high status among the most fashionable women in Nigeria. Having established showrooms in Nigeria and New York, Lisa Folawiyo continues to gain global attention, with her work featuring on major blogs and in leading magazines such as international editions of Vogue, The New York Times, Harper’s Bazaar and Elle.

In 2012, she won the Africa Fashion award. Celebrities such as Issa Rae have worn her pieces. Folawiyo’s collections are also showcased in the US, the UK, Nigeria and South Africa. In 2014, WWD: Women’s Wear Daily named her one of eight emerging talents. In 2015, she was featured in the prestigious BOF500, a list of fashion brands that are shaping the international fashion scene.

28/03/2022

Wangechi Mutu’s multimedia work reflects her distinctive composite aesthetic and global point of view. Best known for her collages, Mutu pieces together magazine imagery with painted surfaces and found materials. Her work explores issues of gender, race, war, colonialism, global consumption, and the eroticisation of the Black female body. Mutu examines the African ideology and how it is very much tied to corporeal form, satirically identifying the continent’s “diseases” as sub/post-human monsters. The artist encourages audiences to consider these mythical worlds as places for cultural, psychological, and socio-political exploration and transformation.

She has exhibited her work locally and internationally in several countries including the United Kingdom, the United States and Wales. Mutu has also received recognition and several important awards such as; Artist Honoree, African Art Awards Dinner, Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of African Art, Washington D.C. (2018); Artist Honoree, Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden Gala, Washington D.C. (2017), and many more.

25/03/2022

Swaady Martin-Leke is the founder and CEO of the African luxury brand Yswara, leading curators of precious African teas.

She chose to focus on the luxury industry to essentially convey the continent’s culture and identity. Martin-Leke believes that with thousands of years of history and know-how, Africans can do more than producing crafts and ethnic goods. Yswara’s mission is to unlock Africa’s potential to produce superior quality products that appeal to a local and international audience while achieving societal impact.

She has received numerous distinctions and awards including New Leader of the Future (2011) and a Tutu Leadership Fellowship nomination (2012). In 2014, she was listed on Oprah Winfrey’s “O’ Power List and named one of the Youngest Power Women in Africa by Forbes.

23/03/2022

Over the years, the African fashion industry has evolved and experienced increased growth. Globally, more attention has been placed on the African designers, brands and creatives who have paved the way thus far for the industry. The brands are focusing on individuality, cultural identity, and empowerment.

Click the link in bio to read on the women-led African brands that are making global strides.

21/03/2022

“Perhaps at no other time in human history has the vital importance of documentary been made manifest than now.” says Femi Odugbemi, founder and director of iRep Documentary Film Festival. For many decades, film documentaries have chronicled the stories, lives and institutions of different societies.

“The visions of Africa still sustained in many places is one captured in the stories of National Geographic magazines – a jungle reeking of great dangers and lacking civilisation. These are the ‘stories of Africa’ nurtured by some global news organisations that have permanently married the name of the continent with wars, disease, poverty and instability. Yet the truth of the ‘African story’ today is different. It is by no means perfect but there is emerging a new order, identifying new voices and leaders, propagating new values of creativity, enterprise, transparency, fair competition, social justice and economic empowerment. It is a revolution of significance that should bring optimism and pride about Africa’s future. The question is who has been telling our story and from what perspective?” adds Femi Odugbemi

(Click the link in bio to read the full article)

21/03/2022

In the last few years, more focus has been placed on African art, with the global gender disparity and the art world seen mainly as male-dominated, this narrative is gradually changing with African women taking up the space that rightfully belongs to them. For international women’s month, we are spotlighting six emerging female artists in Africa you should pay attention to.

(Click on the link in bio to read the full article)

16/03/2022

Angolan artist Cristiano Mangovo’s vision, imagination and references are rooted in the rich and complex multi-layered sociocultural landscape of the Cabinda region. One of the most prolific of the Angolan post-war generation, Mangovo has developed a unique, profound, exuberant and mature style, which could be defined as Figurative Expressionism.

Your ongoing exhibition with .insofar Art Gallery titled O Sistema refers to the crucial topic of power and its systems. Please tell us more about the show, what you hope to convey to the public through its theme, and the reception it has received so far.

This is an exhibition that I began to prepare in collaboration with the gallery insofar since 2021, that includes artworks in various disciplines, such as painting, sculpture, drawing, and even installation. The title of the exhibition O Sistema (The System) comes from a term often used in...

(Click on the link in bio to read full interview)

14/03/2022

Award-winning Nigerian television director, filmmaker and music video director Kemi Adetiba is a household name whose works have appeared on Channel O, MTV Base, Soundcity TV, BET and Netflix. She has worked on projects such as 'The Wedding Party' 1 and 2, released in 2016 and 2018. The 'King of Boys' 1 and 2 released in 2018 and 2021.

"When I am creating, I always want to be as authentic as possible, so anyone watching will know what I am talking about." Her movie, 'King of Boys' grossed over ₦200 million in cinemas nationwide. Also, in 2016, her first feature film 'The Wedding Party' was the first Nollywood film to pass the billion naira mark at home, becoming the highest-grossing Nigerian film ever, at N3.5 billion.

In 2017, she won the Her Network Woman of the Year (HNWOTY) Award for Woman of the Year in Film and Television.

                           

09/03/2022

Mariam Issoufou Kamara is a Nigerien architect and founder of Atelier Masomi, a sustainable and context-based design practice in Niamey, Niger.

She gained international recognition in 2018 after being chosen for the Rolex Mentor Protege scheme and mentored by acclaimed Ghanaian-British architect David Adjaye for two years. Kamara, speaking about her time spent as Adjaye’s protegee, revealed, “I got the chance to learn from this amazing person, this master of the craft”. She continued, “It is the most important thing that has happened in my career and my life as an architect.”

In 2019, Kamara unveiled designs for the Niamey Cultural Center in the thriving Gounti Yenna Valley of Niger’s capital, inspired by Hausa and Songhai traditional architecture.

                             

08/03/2022

Deola Ade-Ojo popularly known as Deola Sagoe began designing in 1988 when she joined her mother’s business with a view of expanding the label’s repertoire to encompass more contemporary designs for the high-brow society.

Using African hand-woven materials in which she brought to life a range of distinct cultures; and contemporising almost-lost traditional African techniques. Deola is well known for her uncanny attention to detail, her expert handling of a diverse range of fabrics as well as her exemplary grasp of a wide range of female body types.

Having been the first black woman to present a collection at AltaRoma, Rome’s celebrated fashion week, back in 2004 and the first Nigerian to have her own stand-alone show at the New York Fashion Week September 2014, she continues to lead the way in trailblazing Nigeria on the global fashion map.

07/03/2022

Nigerian artist Njideka Akunyili Crosby lives and works in Los Angeles, California. Her works on paper combine collage, drawing, painting, printmaking and photo transfers. Crosby negotiates the cultural terrain between her adopted home in America and her native Nigeria, creating autobiographical works that expose the challenges of occupying these two worlds. She has created a sophisticated visual language that pays homage to the history of Western painting while also referencing African cultural traditions.

Crosby’s imagery transcends the specificity of individual experience and engages in a global dialogue about trenchant social and political issues. A hallmark of her compositions is the layering and collaging of small photographic images. Many of the images used are from Nigerian magazines or taken by the artist with her own camera during visits to Nigeria. She photocopies pictures from various sources such as wedding albums and magazines and transfers them to paper using acetone solvent.

In June 2017, she was awarded the Prix Canson, for works on paper, and in October she was awarded a 2017 MacArthur Fellowship. Typically awarded to about 20 American artists, academics, writers, and scientists each year, the $625,000 no-strings-attached grant is given to “talented individuals who have shown extraordinary originality and dedication in their creative pursuits and a marked capacity for self-direction,”