Tate Modern in London has opened 'Nigerian Modernism,' a major exhibition tracing the modern art movement in Nigeria from the 1940s through the post-independence era. Spanning 50 years, the show features over 250 works by more than 50 artists, including Jimo Akolo, El Anatsui, Nike Davies-Okundaye, Uzo Egonu, Ibrahim El-Salahi, Ben Enwonwu, Ladi Kwali, Aina Onabolu, Bruce Onobrakpeya, Uche Okeke, and Obiora Udechukwu. Curated by Osei Bonsu and Bilal Akkouche, the exhibition draws from Tate’s holdings and public and private collections across Africa, the United States, and Europe, and runs from October 8, 2025 to May 10, 2026.
This exhibition matters because it provides a comprehensive, institutional reckoning with Nigerian modernism—a movement that emerged amid the country's struggle for independence and postcolonial identity. By foregrounding artists who were part of groups like the Zaria Art Society and Mbari Artists’ and Writers’ Club, the show highlights the transnational dialogues between African, Pan-African, and European aesthetics. It also addresses a historical gap in Western museum narratives, offering a more inclusive and decolonized art history that resonates with current global conversations about representation and cultural heritage.