Kindred Spirits: A Gathering of the Aka Circle of Artists
碍贸 is pleased to present Kindred Spirits: A Gathering of the Aka Circle of Artists, featuring the work of fifteen artists of the renowned Aka Circle of Exhibiting Artists. Founded in 1985 by El Anatsui and Obiora Udechukwu, the Aka Circle of Exhibiting Artists was a pioneering force in Nigeria's contemporary art scene between 1986 and 2000. The group, known for their radical studio experiments challenging Western art orthodoxies, held its inaugural exhibitions in Enugu and Lagos in 1986 and continued to make waves until its last exhibition in 2005. This exhibition, which brings the group together for the first time in nearly two decades, is curated by Iheanyi Onwuegbucha. It celebrates the diverse creative directions of the group's fifteen members, who, through four decades of artistic exploration, have continuously expanded the boundaries of contemporary Nigerian art.
In the 20th century, artists around the world formed collectives, driven by a shared desire to collaborate and support each other and exchange ideas, stylistics influences, and theoretical frameworks. In Nigeria during the economic downturn of the 1980s, with reduced institutional support, a disorganized civil service, and successive military dictatorships, the Aka Circle artists, like their peers across Africa, built relationships with colleagues in the former Anambra State (now Enugu and Anambra States). These connections helped them refine their skills and support each other in line with international trends and professional standards. The Aka Circle鈥檚 annual exhibitions provided a platform for this collaboration, while their regular meetings helped maintain their goals and focus.
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碍贸 is pleased to present Kindred Spirits: A Gathering of the Aka Circle of Artists, featuring the work of fifteen artists of the renowned Aka Circle of Exhibiting Artists. Founded in 1985 by El Anatsui and Obiora Udechukwu, the Aka Circle of Exhibiting Artists was a pioneering force in Nigeria's contemporary art scene between 1986 and 2000. The group, known for their radical studio experiments challenging Western art orthodoxies, held its inaugural exhibitions in Enugu and Lagos in 1986 and continued to make waves until its last exhibition in 2005. This exhibition, which brings the group together for the first time in nearly two decades, is curated by Iheanyi Onwuegbucha. It celebrates the diverse creative directions of the group's fifteen members, who, through four decades of artistic exploration, have continuously expanded the boundaries of contemporary Nigerian art.
In the 20th century, artists around the world formed collectives, driven by a shared desire to collaborate and support each other and exchange ideas, stylistics influences, and theoretical frameworks. In Nigeria during the economic downturn of the 1980s, with reduced institutional support, a disorganized civil service, and successive military dictatorships, the Aka Circle artists, like their peers across Africa, built relationships with colleagues in the former Anambra State (now Enugu and Anambra States). These connections helped them refine their skills and support each other in line with international trends and professional standards. The Aka Circle鈥檚 annual exhibitions provided a platform for this collaboration, while their regular meetings helped maintain their goals and focus.
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Kindred Spirits鈥� paid homage to these artists鈥� oeuvres over the years鈥攁nd reminded us of their significance to Nigerian and global art history.
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