The Tate Modern in London is currently hosting a groundbreaking exhibition titled *Nigerian Modernism*, a comprehensive showcase of over 50 Nigerian artists spanning from 1910 to the 1990s. This ambitious project highlights the evolution of Nigerian art, blending traditional techniques such as bronze casting, mural painting, and wood carving with European influences. Among the featured artists is the renowned 93-year-old painter and sculptor Bruce Onobrakpeya, who describes the exhibition as ‘one of the greatest things to have happened, not only to my art, but to Nigerian artwork.’
The exhibition offers a vivid journey through Nigeria’s history, from its colonial past to independence and the turbulent years of the Biafran War. Works from the influential Nsukka Art School, founded by students and professors at the University of Nigeria, reflect the nation’s struggles and triumphs. Artists like Muraina Oyelami and Ben Enwonwu contribute pieces that range from naturalistic depictions of real-life events to abstract explorations of identity and modernity.
Curator Osei Bonsu emphasizes the collective spirit of the exhibition, noting that the artists share a common goal of ‘fashioning radical visions of what modern art could be.’ The collection includes diverse mediums, from watercolors and photography to political cartoons and intricate thorn carvings, representing Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage and its global diaspora.
For Onobrakpeya, the exhibition is more than a retrospective; it is a source of inspiration and hope. ‘It gives us strength, and we’re going to work harder to produce something even greater than this,’ he says. *Nigerian Modernism* runs at the Tate Modern until May 10 next year, offering visitors a rare opportunity to explore a movement that has long been underrepresented on the global stage.
