Aindrea Emelife Curates Nigerian Pavilion at 60th Venice Biennale
Aindrea Emelife is set to lead the Nigerian Pavilion at the upcoming 60th Venice Biennale, happening from April 20 to November 24, 2024. Located at Palazzo Canal in Dorsoduro, this pavilion is a first for the event. Titled 'Nigeria Imaginary', the exhibition will feature eight artists, including Tunji Adeniyi-Jones and Toyin Ojih Odutola, and aims to envision Nigeria's future through historical insights. The Nigeria Imaginary Incubator Project, launched at Art X Lagos in 2023, focuses on community voices. Emelife draws inspiration from the Mbari Club in Ibadan and emphasizes the importance of African representation. The exhibition will also be shown at the Museum of West African Art in Benin City, Nigeria, and she looks forward to exploring other African pavilions.
Key facts
- Aindrea Emelife is curating the Nigerian Pavilion at the 60th Venice Biennale.
- The Biennale runs from 20 April to 24 November 2024.
- The pavilion is at Palazzo Canal, Dorsoduro, a new venue.
- Exhibition title: 'Nigeria Imaginary'.
- Eight artists: Tunji Adeniyi-Jones, Ndidi Dike, Onyeka Igwe, Toyin Ojih Odutola, Abraham Oghobase, Yinka Shonibare CBE RA, Fatimah Tuggar.
- The Nigeria Imaginary Incubator Project launched at Art X Lagos 2023.
- The pavilion will tour to MOWAA in Benin City, Nigeria.
- Emelife cites Okwui Enwezor, Chika Okeke-Agulu, and Ulli Beier as influences.
Entities
Artists
- Aindrea Emelife
- Tunji Adeniyi-Jones
- Ndidi Dike
- Onyeka Igwe
- Toyin Ojih Odutola
- Abraham Oghobase
- Yinka Shonibare CBE RA
- Fatimah Tuggar
- Ulli Beier
- Wole Soyinka
- Chinua Achebe
- Uche Okeke
- Okwui Enwezor
- Chika Okeke-Agulu
- John Akomfrah
- Kapwani Kiwanga
- Rhea Dillon
- Josèfa Ntjam
- Adriano Pedrosa
Institutions
- Nigerian Pavilion
- Palazzo Canal
- Venice Biennale
- Art X Lagos
- Mbari Club
- Museum of West African Art (MOWAA)
- Courtauld Institute of Art
- British Pavilion
- Benin Pavilion
- Canada Pavilion
- Palazzo Diedo
- The Kitchen, New York
- Accademia
Locations
- Venice
- Italy
- Dorsoduro
- Ibadan
- Nigeria
- Benin City
- Lagos
- London
- Osun-Osogbo Sacred Groves
- Gashaka-Gumti National Park