After five years of regular online publishing and occasional print publications like the Collector’s Series and Special Journals, TSA Contemporary Art Magazine comes to a close.
Founded in 2015 by art writer and editor, Bukola Oyebode, The Sole Adventurer (TSA Art Magazine) started as a blog. The goal was simple. It was to connect with a community of art enthusiasts, writers, artists, archivists, and critical thinkers. Soon, it began to recognize and sought to cater to the need to sustain critical views and writings on African art and to give the audience access to the happenings in the Lagos art and culture scene. This led to the blog’s expansion into an art magazine in 2018. Initially focused on Nigeria, the editorial interests soon grew to include other African countries, and their linked diaspora locations.
In an email announcing the magazine’s close, Bukola Oyebode writes about how TSA has contributed to critical exchanges, representation and documentation of contemporary African art in tangible and immeasurable ways in the last eight years. She also highlighted the collaborations and conversations that were tangible to the mission of the magazine.
“Among our favourite editorials is the #SocialSolidarity page, which felt like an anchorage during a precarious and uncertain time. If there is a legacy which TSA leaves behind, it would be stimulating young people in Nigeria to begin a professional career in the art world. TSA contributed to exposing young artists and art enthusiasts to the broader African and diaspora art world. It was also a space for young critics to sharpen their skills while we courted the trusted words of the established voices. We produced different projects such as Art Forum Africa with Wana Udobang, collaborated on mentoring young female artists, curators and writers, organised art tours and workshops for young people from marginalised communities, and the TSA Art Writing Master Class led by Dr. Chika Okeke-Agulu. Our last project, Collector’s Series: Artists & Cities, continues to gather heartwarming reviews while inspiring more interest in contemporary African art beyond the familiar.”
In their years of operation, The Sole Adventurer received grants and sponsorship from the Netherlands Embassy in Nigeria, Goethe-Institut Nigeria, Institut Français, Hydrocarbon, Ford Foundation, SMO Contemporary, Arthouse Contemporary, etc. Their readership also grew across Africa, the US, Europe, and Asia.
On the future, Oyebode writes:
“As with previous TSA endeavours, we are carrying forward the joy and necessity of creating at the edge of impossibility onto new paths. I hope you will follow my work as I undertake different projects and as I/we build another dream space for the future that we call TSA Ideas Lab. We have put some measures in place to secure the TSA Contemporary Art Magazine site so it can function as a lasting archive. The website and our social media pages will still be accessible. You can read and browse through them as you desire.”
