Yenwa Gallery has cemented itself as one in all Lagos’s main galleries, although, in keeping with founder Ugonna Ibe Ejiogu, it occurred virtually accidentally. A Nigerian American who grew up in London, Ibe Ejiogu moved to Nigeria in 2014 and set about constructing a profession that spanned curating, public relations, and vogue. By 2021, she was head of PR at arts middle Terra Kulture, the founding father of clothes model Cinnamon, and the top of the Guild of Skilled Effective Artists in Nigeria.
In an excellent world, Ibe Ejiogu advised ARTnews, she would have joined an establishment fairly than begin Yenwa. However on the time, there have been few establishments or galleries that would take in senior curatorial expertise. Thus, Yenwa was born.
The gallery’s program is intentionally broad however curatorially agency. Whereas acknowledging Nigeria stays a painter’s market, the gallery constantly makes room for mediums which are more durable to position commercially: images, collage, works on paper, ceramics, and sculpture. Its neighborhood contains youthful, curious, and fewer name-led collectors, which provides Yenwa latitude to introduce neglected or undiscovered artists.
Ugonna notes that the Nigerian artwork scene does have the potential to set its personal agenda. “Typically you sit there and see an artist who’s blowing up overseas and assume, ‘Oh… effectively,’ after we can do higher at holding energy right here,” she stated. “We shouldn’t watch for exterior sources to establish who’s the artist to look at. We should always do a greater job of claiming, ‘These are the artists we’ve got recognized as value your consideration and funding.’”
Worldwide visibility is welcome, she provides, however too typically acclaim flows from overseas earlier than it gathers at house. The purpose is to not reject the worldwide stage, however to rebalance it—constructing native authority, native confidence, and a clearer pipeline from Nigerian galleries to sustained careers.
