Over recent years African artists, curators and galleries have transformed the African art scene in London. With the likes of 1-54 Contemporary art fairs, Tiwani Contemporary and many others, the engagement of African art has proliferated. Integrating art from the continent has significantly changed our perception of its history and culture.
Paris-born curator Ifedolapo Onikoyi is among those that are narrating conversations about Nigerian art. She began her career in Business marketing working as an Editor for GLAM Africa magazine, became an Artistic director for fashion and art shows, and later on opened an agency, Artfrofest. Though her background is in Fashion, Onikoyi sought to challenge the monolithic term ‘African art’ and has curated shows with numerous photographers. For Onikoyi, combining fashion and art enables entrepreneurial and economic advancement among African designers and artists. As a curator, she is an optimist in continuing to work with African artists and galleries.
This year, between Paris and London, Onikoyi is curating an upcoming show, ‘Falling into Dream’, with Nigerian artist Promise O’nali, who studied art at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Presented by Koppel Project, the exhibition explores realms of the subconscious and mysteries of the universe. With artworks that transcend classical forms of painting, the show will expose Igbo artistic methods. In it, O’nali manipulates Igbo traditional techniques to evoke sentimental emotions. Along with mixed media, he summons Uli art, a traditional Igbo method, to immerse the viewer into the symbolisms of the subconscious. As his first solo show in London, curator Onikoyi introduces to the London horizon an artistic practice that is yet to be known. She invites viewers to embrace the cultural Nigerian influence filled with profound ancient knowledge.
Promise O’nali’s ‘Falling into Dream’, is not limited to the audience in London but to those in abroad, virtually. The curator will be using a digital platform to reach a global discussion. Subsequently, those in the African continent can browse through the digital space. The show will also include fashion textile inspired by the Uli art and Onali’s paintings. Onikoyi is collaborating with fashion designers to adapt and mirror the concepts into garments and textiles to present on the day of the private view. It is done to draw parallel notions of art and fashion, identity and culture, dreams and realities. The exhibition will take place on the 23rd of February to March 2, 2023 at the Koppel Project, Koppel New Bond Street.
Written by: Horcelie Sinda Wa Mbongo
Horcelie Sinda Wa Mbongo was born in Kinshasa, Congo, she is an artist and obtained her MA in Contemporary Art at Sotheby’s Institute of Art, BA at Chelsea College of Art. She has contributed to numerous art publications across Europe and Africa. She is the founder of Lobiko, a charity based in the UK, Congo and South Africa.
