Take a look into libraries and book collections holding some of the rarer and often forgotten publications, which are nonetheless essential to the discourse on both sides of the spectrum. Featured this time: the Stuart Hall Library in London.
From the library’s collection we present a rare, unique selection of pamphlets featuring the contemporary art world of Nigeria over twenty years ago (find a detailed list of the titles below):
‘What librarians and archivists usually categorize as ephemera – exhibition guides, pamphlets, and leaflets – are rarely collected systematically. But often they are the only publications that give a unique glimpse into what was happening within a group of artists or an art scene. They can reveal not only what was being exhibited, talked about, and seen, but also the networks of people and ideas behind the movements and their overall context, in ways that other sources cannot. The ‘ephemera’ here offer a remarkable window into the contemporary art world of Nigeria in the late 1980s and early 1990s, when the program of economic austerity embarked upon in 1982 had wrought havoc with the Nigerian economy and in Africa more widely, radically altering the organization and modes of art production. These documents reveal the contexts and early work not only of figures such as El Anatsui, who has gone on to become a star in the global contemporary scene, but also of other artists and scholars, who deserve more recognition.’
Bibliography:
Here We Are – Compendious Biographies of some Nigerian Artists, by Jare Ajayi: includes Christiana Oko, Idowu Otun, Bright Aigbogun, Festus Adetola Wewe, Emmanuel Bojerenu, Mohammed Tanimu Ambo, Bisi Fakeye, 1994.
New Currents ´93 – Avant Garde Nigerian Art, Didi Museum, Lagos: Includes El Anatsui, Oyerinde Olotu, Veronica Otigbo, Obiora Udechukwu, Victor Ekpuk, David Dale, Jerry Buhari, 1993.
Reflections – Exhibition of paintings and sculptures by Winifred Odeh and Bem Ben Mgutyo at the Audiorium of the University of Agriculture Makurdi, 1989.
Portraits of Nigerian Artist(e)s 1992 Weekly Planner: including Essa Femi Osofian, Wole Soyinka, Eppi Fanio, Bisi Fakeye, Ihria Enakimio, Dele Jegede, Afi Ekong, Ben Enwonwu, Bala Millerhakeem Shitta.
Towards 21st Century Art: An exhibition of painting, sculpture, ceramics, graphics and textile by the staff of the Auchi Polytechnic: including Idugie, Nimitie, Ogieriakhi, DeBeBs, 1990.
Uli – Different Hands, Different Times. Paintings. Drawings. Textiles. Ceramics. Sculpture: including Ndidi Dike, Bridget Egbeji, Elizabeth George, Mgbadunnwa Okanumee, Ego Uche-Okeke, Ada Udechukwa, Chinwe Uwatse at the Continuing Education Centre University of Nigeria, Nussukka, 1992.
AKA 1990 – 5th Annual Exhibition Catalogue: including Tayo Adenaike, Chris Afuba, El Anatsui, Chike Aniakor, Obiora Anidi, Ifedioramma Dike, Chike Ebebe, Chris Echeta, Nsikak Essien, Bona Ezeudu, Boniface Okafor, Samson Uchendu, Obior Udechukwu, 1990.
Original Prints from the Third Nsukka Workshop 1987: including Olu Oguibe, Ndidi Dike, Eugene Okudo, Ndubisi Onah, Obid Okpala, Ifedioramma Dike, Tony Nwachukwu, El Anatsui, Sue Ubagu, 1987.
Reflections 88. Art Exhibition of the Society of Nigerian Artists 1988: including Aliu Hassan, Sanwo Kehinde, Akisanmi Mike, Ige Lara, Elebute, Ayo S. Mordi, 1988.
About Stuart Hall Library:
The Stuart Hall Library is a valuable reference resource for students, researchers, and all interested readers and is one of the leading UK libraries in the field of international visual art. The library holds a substantial collection of monographs, catalogues, periodicals, DVDs, CDs, slides, and other media on visual arts and culture. The collection has particular strengths in African, Asian, and Latin American art, as well as British art from artists of diverse cultural backgrounds. The collection includes over 4,000 exhibition catalogues, 1,000 monographs – covering cultural, political, gender, and media studies – and over 140 periodicals.
Jonathan Fine is a PhD student in African Art at Princeton University
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