Nigerian modernism : art and independence / edited by Osei Bonsu ; with assistance from Bilal Akkouche.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Bonsu, Osei, editor.

Akkouche, Bilal, assistant editor.

Tate Modern (Gallery), host institution.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Art, Modern--20th century--Exhibitions.

Art, Modern.

Art, Nigerian--20th century--Exhibitions.

Art, Nigerian.

Genre:

exhibition catalogs.

Exhibition catalogs.

Physical Description:

288 pages : illustrations (chiefly color) ; 28 cm

Place of Publication:

[London] : Tate Publishing, [2025]

Summary:

Set against the backdrop of cultural and artistic rebellion, this is a fascinating exploration of the artists who revolutionised modern art in Nigeria. The end of the Second World War witnessed the rise of Pan-African solidarity movements and the increased migration of African artists to European cosmopolitan centres. During Nigeria's struggle for national independence in particular, artists drew upon diverse cultural traditions to navigate the country's evolving social and political landscape, resulting in a rich and diverse body of work. This richly illustrated publication explores the multi-directional development of modern art in Nigeria from the period of British indirect rule to the years of national independence and post-independence, considering Nigerian art in relation to themes and ideas of Christian and Islamic art, traditional African sculpture, indigenous knowledge systems and Nigerian poetry and literature. Through their inventive and dynamic approach to art making, Nigerian artists challenged common assumptions and colonial narratives of African art within a global history of modernism. The book presents an historical overview of artistic perspectives with over 300 works by more than 50 artists spanning the period from 1945 to 1995. They include Akinola Lasekan, Ben Enwonwu, Ladi Kwali, Clara Ugbodaga-Ngu, Bruce Onobrakpeya, Uche Okeke, and Obiora Udechukwu. Highlighting the ways in which artists, writers and intellectuals negotiated the legacies of traditional Nigerian culture, European colonialism, and international networks of artistic modernity, Nigerian Modernism presents an important chapter of African art-historical life and reveals the enduring legacies of diverse traditions and artistic languages.

Contents:

Introduction : Visions of modernity : the emergence of Nigerian Modernism / Osei Bonsu

Essay section. Agents of change : cosmopolitanism and Anglo-Nigerian culture in the art of Aina Onabolu and Ben Enwonwu / Sylvester Okwunodu Ogbechie ; Bridging belief : Islamic iconography and cultural synthesis in Nigerian Modernism / Bilal Akkouche ; The power of art in print : the intersection of political cartoons and nationalism in modern Nigerian art/ délé jẹ́gẹ́dẹ́ ; Mbari as a cultural imaginary of postcolonial Nigerian Modernism / Aindrea Emelife ; 'That woman again!' Performing tradition as resistance / Bea Gassmann de Sousa ; The art of Oshogbo / Molara Wood ; When was Yoruba art? Modernity and Modernism in southwestern Nigeria / Will Rea ; Trailblazers : Nike Davies-Okundaye and Ndidi Dike / Francine Kola-Bankole ; The making of a modern art legacy in Nsukka / Ozioma Onuzulike

Plates section.

Figuring Modernity

Ben Enwonwu

Ladi Kwali

Zaria Art Society

Mbari Club

Eko

New sacred Art Movement

Oshogbo School

Nsukka School

Uzo Egonu.

Notes:

Published on the occasion of the exhibition 'Nigerian Modernism', Tate Modern, London 8 October 2025 - 11 May 2026.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9781849769822

1849769826

9781849769839

1849769834

OCLC:

1519975013

Publisher Number:

CIPO000269858