To celebrate the remarkable achievements and contributions of African women, the Lambeth Archives in Brixton, London, is hosting the “Showcasing Historic and Contemporary African Women” exhibition, curated by Gede and Esosa Aihie and presented by Nigeria Magazine and the Adesuwa Women Art Collection.
According to the organisers, the free exhibition features the works of four artists – Nigerian artist Melody Osagie, Raphael Kwame, South London teacher and illustrator Sonia Ogbebor, and Nigeria-born multi-disciplinary artist Ntiense Tom Udom.
The exhibition will feature photo-realistic portraits by Osagie, in charcoal and graphite, of celebrated, powerful, and important women including Mae Jemison, the first African-American woman in space, President of Liberia Sirleaf Johnson, the first African female president and Oscar-winning actress Lupita Nyong’o; as well as paintings by Raphael Kwame, which includes The Benin (Edo) Bride dressed in traditional attire, a stunning representation of culture symbolising Edo culture, tradition, royalty and nobility;
Also, it will showcase Ogbebor’s art which features colourful interpretations of positive words all showing individual women as musicians, athletes, and more, embodying those messages and inspiring people to live up to their own feelings about the key words.
In the same vein, it noted that Ntiense Tom Udom’s work promotes the self-awareness of African women.
“Her artwork in this show tell the story in seven images of the ancient Benin kingdom and a legendary woman nicknamed Emotan, born between 1380 and 1400, whose courage and kindness are still remembered and celebrated,” the statement read.
The exhibition, which holds in the Olive Morris room of Lambeth Archive’s new purpose-built space at 16 Brixton Hill, London, is open to the end of August 2024.
