"THE ART OF NIGERIAN WOMEN"

EVENT | UNVEILING OF THE BOOK "THE ART OF NIGERIAN WOMEN" BY CHUKWUEMEKA BOSAH

The highly anticipated book, The Art of Nigerian Women by Chukwuemeka Ben Bosah, was finally launched at a private ceremony at the Wheatbaker on March 7, 2017. The chairman of the occasion was Mrs. Ibukun Awosika, Chairman, Board of Directors, First Bank of Nigeria Limited.  

The Art of Nigerian Women published by Ben Bosah Books is a colourful hardback treasure printed on silk paper featuring the work of seventy-five contemporary women artists practicing in Nigeria and the Diaspora. Complementing the artists’ works and statements are scholarly essays and portrait narratives on the women who have influenced and shaped the art sector of the cultural industry in Nigeria. 

Publishing the book was propelled by the author’s observation during the research and publication of another book, A celebration of modern Nigerian Art: 101 Nigerian Artists co-authored by George Edozie in 2010. The authors’ research revealed little documentation on women practicing in the art field in Nigeria and of Nigerian descent. The response to this observation is The Art of Nigerian Women authored by Mr. Bosah.

The partners and collectors’ launch at the Wheatbaker was accompanied by the preview of Standing Out II, an exhibition of works by selected artists featured in the book. Curated by Mrs Sandra Mbanefo Obiago, Art Curator and Director of SMO Contemporary Art, Standing Out II features Angela Amami Isiuwe, Bunmi Oyesanya-Ayaoge, Data Oruwari, Marcellina Oseghale-Akpojotor, Ngozi Omeje, Olawunmi Banjo, Omo Udenta, Ozoz Sokoh, Sade Adebowale & Taiye Idahor. 

The Art of Nigerian Women will be presented to the public at the Nike Art Gallery on Wednesday, March 8, 2017 to commemorate this year’s International Women’s Day. The public launch is accompanied by the exhibition of diverse artworks curated by the Female Artists Association of Nigeria under the theme “Be Bold For Change Women Arise“. 

Chief Nike Okundaye commends The Art of Nigerian Women by Chukwuemeka Bosah as “a timely gift to Africa and the world”.  Chief Okundaye, one of the power women featured in the book has mentored generations of female artists and has won international awards for her work in teaching art to marginalized women in Nigeria. 

Mrs Obiago, featured as one of the power women in the Nigeria art scene in the book and a long standing art curator at the Wheatbaker also praised The Art of Nigerian Women at the unveiling event. She referred to it as “a testament to the awesome rising tide of female artists in Nigeria.”

The exhibition at Nike Art Gallery runs from March 8 – 13, 2017, while Standing Out II runs until May 15, 2017 at The Wheatbaker.

The Art of Nigerian Women publication was supported by GTBank, The Guardian, XL Africa Group, The Wheatbaker, SMO Contemporary Art, Global Energy Company, Veuve Clicquot, Knowledge Exchange Center, Max10, UpByFive, Arik Airlines, and a number of committed art patrons.

The book will be available for purchase at leading Nigerian bookstores and on Amazon from mid-March, 2017.