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‘Crosscurrents’, a
contemporary art exhibition which will feature works by artists from
Italy and Nigeria, will open on Thursday, March 17, at the Civic
Centre, Lagos.

Speaking at a
conference in Lagos on Tuesday, March 15, the organisers of the
exhibition, Marta Boezi and Marinu Paduano of M Contemporary Art,
revealed that the aim of the exhibition is to export Italian culture to
other countries.

A similar
exhibition titled ‘Under Italian Eyes’ had been organised by M
Contemporary Art in Egypt last year. Also present at the press
conference was actress and filmmaker, Ego Boyo, one of the Nigerian
facilitators of the exhibition, and representatives from sponsors,
Oando Plc, Agip, and Global Energy Group.

From Italy with art

The organisers
revealed that ‘Crosscurrents’ is “a significant meeting point of the
cultures between two countries.” According to them, “this exhibition is
a unique opportunity to confront contemporary Italian currents with a
country and a continent, where the ancient roots are flourishing more
vigorously than ever in the artistic production of the new millennium.”

They added that the event was also an opportunity to “energise the ongoing metamorphosis of Italian art.”

According to Ms.
Boezi, some of the Italian artists are talented and well known in
Italy, with each possessing their own unique styles, which will be
reflected in their artworks. She added that some of the artworks will
explain how the artists use different materials to explain contemporary
art.

“We are sure that their selection can give a panoramic view of Nigerian and Italian contemporary art,” she said.

Twenty are chosen

On the criteria for
selecting the Nigerian artists, Ms. Boyo stated that there are numerous
talented artists in Nigeria. However, the shortlist had to be narrowed
to the selected ten.

“All the artists
are spectacular, they bring something fresh,” she said, adding that
some of the artworks to be put up were new and had never been displayed
before.

Apart from
selecting Nigerian artists doing impressive work, she revealed that the
artists were also chosen on the basis of certain similarities between
their works and that of the ten Italian artists.

The organisers
stated that a follow-up exhibition, which would take the ten Nigerian
artists to Italy, would be organised and that a date would be announced
later.

The representative
of Oando Plc, one of the sponsors of the exhibition, Meka Olowola,
announced that the company’s interest in the exhibition stemmed from
her aspiration to promote Nigerian talents.

The ten Nigerian
artists participating in the exhibition include: Peju Alatise, Uche
Edochie, Oliver Enwonwu, Rom Isichei, Uche James Iroha, Chidi Kwubiri,
Alex Nwokolo, Abiodun Olaku, Kolade Oshinowo, and Mudi Yahaya.

The Italian artists
for the exhibition include: Matteo Basile, Angelo Bellobono, Filippo
Centenari, Alberto Di Fabio, Omar Galliani, Jonathan Guaitamacchi,
Adriano Nordi, Davide Eron Savadei, and Stefania Fabrizi, the only
female in the group.

“The justification
for us is simple and straightforward; the ability to take the
made-in-Nigeria dream and turn it into a world class project,” Mr.
Olowola stated.

He lauded the
initiative, and said it is a positive sign for Nigerian Art, which
would end the underrepresentation of Nigerian art at international art
exhibitions.

‘Crosscurrents’ is at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, from March 17 to 18.