The partnership involves the design, installation, and execution of an art exhibition, as well as the implementation of complementary programmes for curators, journalists, and teachers.
THE Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art (YSMA), the art museum of the Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos, has received a grant from Africa No Filter for a collaborative two-part project titled ‘Dismantling Stereotypes, Building Links.’
Africa No Filter is a narrative change organisation that works to shift stereotypical narratives about Africa by amplifying authentic and diverse stories from the continent.
The ‘Dismantling Stereotypes, Building Links’ project will feature an art exhibition titled ‘AREWA?’ alongside complementary programmes to present a nuanced tour of Northern Nigeria, its evolving physical and socio-cultural landscape, and identities.
The exhibition, set to open next month, seeks to amplify the voices and creative expressions of artists from Nigeria’s northern region by providing them with increased visibility, recognition and opportunities for collaboration and growth.
François Bouda, Arts and Culture Program Officer at Africa No Filter, said: “We are delighted to partner with Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art, an institution dedicated to advancing knowledge about Nigerian art and portraying a better representation of Nigeria, to tell better stories about Northern Nigeria. The project is a unique initiative highlighting contemporary northern Nigerian artists and local artisans. It will also empower changemakers such as curators, journalists, and teachers, whose work is crucial in shaping public opinion and narratives.”
Madonna Iloba, Advancement Officer at YSMA, said: “The YSMA is interested in the advancement of Nigerian arts, and for us, it is important to form collaborations to further this goal. We are grateful to have the support of Africa No Filter for executing this important project. Of course, we want everyone to experience AREWA, so our strategy is to engage groups with the potential to influence their respective fields and reach even broader audiences. This is why, besides the exhibition itself, we have designed complementary programmes specifically for curators, journalists and teachers.”
The project is part of the efforts of Africa No Filter and YSMA to challenge harmful stereotypes about Africa by perpetuating more nuanced and balanced narratives about the continent.
‘AREWA?’ uses the storytelling power of art to spotlight Northern Nigeria. Through the complementary programmes, YSMA aims to establish lasting networks and alliances to advance Nigerian art and culture, challenging stereotypes and harmful narratives and replacing them with more balanced and nuanced representations.
The grant from Africa No Filter will facilitate the design, installation, and execution of the exhibition, as well as the implementation of complementary programmes for curators, journalists, and teachers. AREWA? will be curated by Aisha Aliyu-Bima, a writer, curator, photographer, researcher, and archivist with a keen interest in Northern Nigerian social anthropology.
The exhibition will feature about 80 works that explore the arts and cultural tapestry of Nigeria’s northern region.
‘AREWA?’ will be open from July to October 2024 at the Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art at Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos. This extended timeline allows for a comprehensive exploration of Nigeria’s northern region’s arts and cultural tapestry, ensuring that visitors and participants have ample time to engage with the exhibition and its complementary programmes.
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