The Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) is making waves with its grand public opening in Benin City, Nigeria on 11 November 2025. This momentous occasion signifies a giant leap forward for cultural institutions across the African continent.
Imagine strolling through the stunning MOWAA Campus, exploring the rich artistic tapestry of Africa. Picture being surrounded by the vibrant energy of the inaugural Artist Council, a group of esteemed contemporary African and diasporic artists shaping the future of artistic expression.
Quoting Phillip Ihenacho, Director of MOWAA:
“Opening MOWAA during Nigeria’s art season allows us to situate this institution within a broader, ongoing conversation about art in and from Africa.”
The heart of the excitement lies in MOWAA’s inaugural exhibition – the highly anticipated Nigerian Pavilion’s return from its showcase at the 60th Venice Biennale. Now enriched with four new artists deeply rooted in Nigeria’s contemporary realities: Kelani Abass, Modupeola Fadugba, Ngozi-Omeje Ezema, and Isaac Emokpae.
Aindrea Emelife curated the Nigeria Imaginary Homecoming exhibition that promises to spark critical dialogues and reflections about the nation’s current state and future possibilities. The exhibition will sprawl across various spaces within the MOWAA Campus until April 11, 2026.
In addition to showcasing contemporary artistry, MOWAA also introduces its Institute covering roughly 4,500 square meters – an architectural marvel dedicated to archaeological research, conservation efforts, public programs, and one of Africa’s largest collection storage facilities.
Ore Disu from MOWAA Institute highlights how crucial it is for institutions like MOWAA to involve artists actively in shaping cultural narratives. He emphasizes that sustainable progress in arts requires long-term institutional support rather than just individual brilliance.
Speaking about his role as a member of MOWAA Artist Council, Victor Ehikhamenor underlines the significance of placing artists at the core of institutional frameworks. He stresses on how museums should evolve globally by prioritizing artists’ voices and perspectives.
Yinka Shonibare CBE RA echoes this sentiment by emphasizing that genuine inclusion of artists is vital for creating sustainable systems that support African artistic endeavors. He believes that artist-led initiatives are pivotal in transforming cultural landscapes across Africa and beyond.
Michael Armitage shares his enthusiasm as an artist representing Nairobi Contemporary Art Institute (NCAI) on MOWAA Artist Council. His focus lies on strengthening collaborations between organizations throughout Africa to expand art communities across borders effectively.
Furthermore,MOWAAA has embarked on a groundbreaking partnership with National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), aiming to exhibit remarkable Nigerian collections while enhancing local conservation practices through targeted training initiatives.
Another exciting collaboration is with French Embassy in Nigeria focusing on heritage preservation through advanced professional training programs promoting cross-cultural dialogue.
As you can see,Mowaa has taken significant strides towards revolutionizing West Africa’s cultural landscape spearheading collaborations nurturing creativity,preserving heritage,and fostering international ties.
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