Yenwa Gallery has cemented itself as one among Lagos’s main galleries, although, in accordance with founder Ugonna Ibe Ejiogu, it occurred virtually by chance. 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 style. By 2021, she was head of PR at arts heart Terra Kulture, the founding father of clothes model Cinnamon, and the pinnacle of the Guild of Skilled Superb Artists in Nigeria.
In a really perfect world, Ibe Ejiogu informed ARTnews, she would have joined an establishment moderately than begin Yenwa. However on the time, there have been few establishments or galleries that might 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 persistently makes room for mediums which can be more durable to put commercially: images, collage, works on paper, ceramics, and sculpture. Its neighborhood consists of youthful, curious, and fewer name-led collectors, which provides Yenwa latitude to introduce ignored 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… properly,’ once we can do higher at holding energy right here,” she stated. “We shouldn’t await 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 price your consideration and funding.’”
Worldwide visibility is welcome, she provides, however too typically acclaim flows from overseas earlier than it gathers at dwelling. 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.
