A West African Pop-up art exhibition opens in London at the beginning of February. The exhibition entitled ‘Transcending Boundaries’ will show contemporary pieces from 21 artists from across Nigeria. Including Edosa Ogiugo, Abiodun Olaku, Ben Osaghae and sculptors Bunmi Babatunde, Fidelis Odogwu and Reuben Ugbine. Whilst their work has been exhibited across the continent, the artists are relatively unknown outside the Africa.
The exhibition has been curated by Aabru Art who have worked closely with the artists whose styles range from Olaku’s stunningly lifelike oil paintings and Osaghae’s socio-political depictions of local Nigerian life and culture, to Babatunde’s fascination for the human form in large- scale bronze and wood and Ugbine’s playful manipulations and three- dimensional pieces using tribal imagery.
Aabru Art works in partnership with the artists to raise awareness and understanding of West African contemporary art. Anshu Bahanda set up Aabru Art in 2011 after a life-long passion for art and connections with West Africa meant that she was able to explore the work being created in Nigeria.
Anshu Bahanda says: “Transcending Boundaries will be the first chance for many people outside of Africa to see the work of these incredible artists. The show will be a real celebration of the immense talent working in Africa today and I hope will lead to further opportunities for the artists to show to the widest audience possible.”
Transcending Boundaries will run from 4-9 February at The Cork Street Gallery, 28 Cork Street, Mayfair
