Steve Ekpenisi | Ojo-Ogun, 2021
About
The African Art Series
are specially curated installations & exhibitions designed to expand the reach and visibility of contemporary art from Africa and its diaspora, providing a stimulant
and catalyst for cultural exploration, and fostering vibrant cultural exchange and dialogue.
SPECIALLY CURATED INSTALLATIONS AND EXHIBITIONS
The African Art Series
Breaking Convention and Barriers.
Traditionally, public viewing of art occurs within a cultural or educational setting such as a museum, art gallery, library, or other such conventional art institution, thereby confining the enjoyment and consumption of the art to specific audiences. Unfortunately, due to numerous factors, African art is often underrepresented and can be somewhat elusive.
In light of this, breaking with convention and breaking barriers, The African Art Series seeks to take African art outside conventional art spaces, amplifying the visibility of the art and the artists - against the backdrop and ambience of high-profile social environments such as hotels, private clubs, five-star restaurants, and exclusive retail establishments; each individually selected to enhance the inherent resplendence and magnetism of each artwork.
Pushing Boundaries.
In partnership with prestigious non-traditional art spaces, the aim is to push the boundaries of the conventional aesthetics and presentation of art, in the art world. Placing African art into new spaces, brings the art to a broader spectrum of viewers, providing a stimulant and catalyst for cultural exploration, fostering vibrant cultural exchange and dialogue, with new and varied audiences.
The African Art Series includes both private and public art exhibitions, of varying size and scope, designed to facilitate broadening of perspectives, promoting empathy, and strengthening social bonds through a sense of global community and increased interconnectedness with other people and cultures.
Supporting Artists.
There is a significant lack of diversity in the art world. Statistics clearly show that art from Africa and its diaspora is grossly underrepresented in major international exhibitions and museums, and the struggle for proper representation of Black artists is a pervasive topic across almost every sector. These challenges are further complicated and compounded by limited access to funding, which impacts not only the exhibiting of works to audiences, but impedes at source, the freedom artists have to explore and experiment with new ideas and themes in the creation of their artworks.
The African Art Series is on a mission to support the contemporary African art market and its incumbents. By stepping outside conventional art spaces, we enable artists to showcase their work to wider, more varied audiences. New spaces can unlock new opportunities for engagement, acting as catalysts to facilitate increased exposure and recognition, and fostering a deeper connection with new audiences.
Despite public commitment to diversity, many traditional art institutions and other public spaces are still a long way from racial equity in the art they buy and show to their various audiences. The African Art Series hopes to unlock new potentials for creative collaboration and engagement on both sides of the spectrum - venues seeking authentic cultural engagement strategies, and underrepresented artists who wish to engage new audiences, and inject fresh perspectives into their creations.
BVLGARI HOTEL LONDON
THE LAUNCH
Iconic. Prestigious.
The venue for the inaugural event was Bvlgari Hotel; located south of Hyde Park and northwest of Belgravia in London's prestigious Knightsbridge. Surrounded by stately homes, distinctive bars, Michelin-starred restaurants, and iconic shops including the world-famous Harrods, it presented an exquisite blend of rich heritage and prestige, amidst an enclave of refined elegance and understated luxury.
The Hotel is a Bvlgari gem, exuding the legendary flair of the House of Bvlgari. The use of sleek contours, smooth finishes, and the finest materials such as 17-times polished Sapele Mahogany wood panels, sumptuous leathers, superior damask silk fabrics and lustrous marbles, are characteristic of the exquisite artistry and craftsmanship of the Maison, and provided the perfect setting to enhance the inherent resplendence and magnetism of each artwork.
"We are proud to support the inaugural exhibition of The African Art Series, and look forward to welcoming and connecting with both the London and African art communities.” - Kostas Sfaltos, Managing Director, Bvlgari Hotel London.
Connecting art communities.
The guests, a diverse blend of art enthusiasts, collectors and spectators, were ushered into the magnificent Bvlgari Ballroom to view the array of works from some of Africa’s most celebrated artists. Expressive landscape paintings from Ben Enwonwu MBE; the Nigerian master painter, featured alongside a typically vibrant abstraction of bustling town-life by renowned Ghanaian artist and educator; Ablade Glover. Sculptural work from fellow esteemed Ghanaian El Enatsui; tempera on tropical hardwood, was displayed alongside Steve Ekpenisi’s depiction of traditionally-made metalwork design, an intricate wood panel sculpture by Bruce Onobrakpeya, and works from Victor Ekpuk whose paintings reflect indigenous African philosophies of the Nsibidi and Uli art form.
The lush decor and surroundings provided the right ambience to showcase the distinctive cultural richness of contemporary African art. Presenting artworks across an array of mediums including painting, sculpture, and textiles; utilising a breadth of methods from silk-screening, to brass casting and wood carving, the objective was to elevate discussion about African art.
Kelechi Nwaneri | Portrait of a Human Heart, 2020
THE INAUGURAL EXHIBITION
Luminosity.
The exhibition celebrated the creative depth and technical flair of African artworks, drawing from the fertile intersection between contemporary art from Africa, its diaspora and perennial notions of African luxury, intertwined with the luxury narrative in a modernistic, western context. Y
Curated by Lisa Anderson; Managing Director at Black Cultural Archives, in collaboration with Founder of The African Art Series; Cas Ojo, with advisory from Sotheby's Modern & Contemporary African Art Department, the exhibition presented a display of inspirational and incandescent works, to pay homage to the 'luminosity' of African artists. Alongside the renowned artists, were a selection of works from rising stars, such as Asiko, Wole Lagunju, Kelechi Nwaneri, Zanele Muholi, Asiko and Giggs Kgole, presented as fruits of Africa’s myriad expressions of opulence, beauty and enjoyment.
Sotheby's Director of Contemporary African Art, Hannah O'Leary, was in attendance. O'Leary shared her extensive knowledge of the African art market and its artists, with an emphasis on the meteoric rise in global attention, growing international acclaim and soaring prices. She advised collectors and would-be collectors, “As with any art, always check authenticity and provenance, and above all, buy what you love.”
The Opportunity
As businesses seek new opportunities for growth in an increasingly competitive world against a backdrop of social justice issues, it is incumbent on each organisation to be intentional in the approach to cultural diversity in customer engagement - like never before.
Progressive, thoughtful, creative customer engagement.
The reality for most businesses, is that customer demographics are no longer as homogeneous as they once seemed. Gone is the convenient fiction of a single, analogous market, on the contrary, most companies are faced with a vastly multicultural marketplace.
A recent report from McKinsey & Co., titled The Rise of The Inclusive Consumer, states 'social values are shaping purchase decisions more than ever before'. The business case is strong - customers are more likely to engage with businesses that show a genuine understanding and appreciation for their cultural values and needs. It is therefore mission-critical to invest in authentic and genuine culture-inspired strategies, to drive personalized engagement with the diverse groups in society today. The companies that will succeed must be progressive, thoughtful and creative about customer engagement.
In the midst of the growing discourse, the ubiquitous rise in the conversation on African art provides a gateway and incredible opportunity for businesses to engage in credible initiatives that will resonate and deepen connections with a diverse audience. We are delighted to present The African Art Series, in response to these important conversations in a complex, and fragmented world.
Victor Ekpuk | Guardian of the Pueblos (Santa Fe Suite), 2013
SPECIAL PROJECTS
a special project with The Financial Times
Inspiring Conversations.
The African Art Series is birthed from a passion to stimulate inspiring conversations about Africa. It was initiated following an insightful Panel Discussion with the Financial Times, held at the Connaught Hotel in Mayfair, in 2019, to explore the state of consumer industries in Nigeria - Africa's most populous country and arguably the largest economy on the continent.
The Panel Discussion titled: An Inspiring Conversation on the Future of Luxury: Spotlight on the Business of Luxury in Nigeria, was part of a strategy to drive new, exciting perspectives about the breadth of Africa's vast resources, and the creativity and ingenuity of its people. The event was the brainchild of Cas Ojo, Founder of The African Art Series.
Over 100 senior executives from numerous high-profile brands such as American Express, Audemar’s Piguet, London & Capital, Walpole, JP Morgan, Sotheby’s, Prada were in attendance, to hear from key players in Nigeria's dynamic consumer industries. Topics included: the opportunities and challenges of doing business in Nigeria, overcoming barriers to entry, ethical practices, and building transparent, sustainable, value-driven business partnerships.
Hosted by David Pilling, Africa Editor, the keynote was delivered by James Benoit, MD, FCMB Bank. On the panel were various industry experts and business leaders including Mo Abudu, CEO of EbonyLife Media, listed in Forbes 100 Most Powerful Women; Reni Folawiyo, Founder of Alara, West Africa's first fashion and lifestyle concept store; Tom Meggle, former Managing Director of Louis Vuitton UK, Ireland and South Africa and Founder of Momentom8; Bola Atta, Group Director of UBA, United Bank for Africa, and Brigitte Stepputtis, Global Head of Couture for Vivienne Westwood. Closing the night, Helena Warren, Global Head of business development at The Luxury Network International, introduced corporate presentations from a selection of Nigerian-owned luxury brands including Polo Luxury Group, Lux Afrique, Titi Adesa and A Complexion Company.
The African Art Series presents an exciting platform for more inspiring conversations about Africa and its creative industries.