Talk of when your hand is blessed!.. For the first time in history, Nigeria is making her debut National
appearance in the Venice Biennale’s 57th edition, themed Viva Arte Viva
(Long Live Art).
The festival is the most prestigious art
exhibition in the world. It is the oldest cultural biennale, started in
1895, which displays large-scale art exhibitions, with countries
officially represented by their pavilions. Sadly, there has been a lack
of representation of the African continent at the Venice Biennale, with
only 7 African countries out of 54 being represented.
The
Nigerian pavilion at the 57th Venice Biennale is curated by Adenrele
Sonariwo and commissioned by Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki with the
support of the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture.
Three
talented artists, Victor Ehikhamenor, Peju Alatise and Qudus Onikeku,
have been selected to showcase their unique works centered on the theme
‘How About NOW?’
1. Edo State-born Victor Ehikhamenor, an award winning visual artist, writer and photographer.
2.
Peju Alatise is a mixed-medium artist. She has a degree in architecture
and is also a sculptor, skilled poet and writer with several novels in
publication.
3. Qudus Onikeku creates movement identity that fuses
dance and acrobatics. He makes the Yoruba traditional culture his
basis, combining it with several other influences such as the guiding
philosophies of hip hop, capoeira, and contemporary dance, to weave a
certain understanding of the human condition.
The exhibition which previews on the 10th of May, will be opened to the public on 13 May and runs till the end of November.