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Nigerian Modernism
Art and Independence
Brief Description
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, artists drew upon diverse cultural traditions to navigate the country's evolving social and political landscape,...
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Set against the backdrop of cultural and artistic rebellion, this is a fascinating exploration of the artists who revolutionised modern art in Nigeria.
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Description
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, 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. It considers 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 a historical overview of artistic perspectives with over 300 works by more than 50 artists, spanning the period from 1945 to 1995. These artists 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.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781849769839
Publisher: Tate Publishing
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 09 October 2025
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Tate Publishing
Illustration: 250 Illustrations, color
Contributors:
- Edited by Osei Bonsu
- Contributions by Bilal Akkouche
- Contributions by Ozioma Onuzulike
- Contributions by Francine Kola-Bankole
- Contributions by Sylvester Okwunodu Obgechie
- Contributions by Will Rea
- Contributions by Molara Wood
- Contributions by délé jégédé
- Contributions by Bea Gassman de Sousa
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Width: 230.0mm
Height: 275.0mm
Weight: 250g
Pages: 288
Collections
About the Author
Osei Bonsu is Curator of International Art at Tate Modern, where he is responsible for organising exhibitions, developing the museum's collection and broadening the representation of artists from Africa and the African diaspora.
Bilal Akkouche is Assistant Curator, International Art at Tate Modern.
With contributions by Bea Gassman de Sousa, délé jégédé, Francine Kola-Bankole, Sylvester Okwunodu Obgechie, Ozioma Onuzulike, Will Rea, and Molara Wood.
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