Location: Nigeria
A virtual exhibition by the Female Artists Association of Nigeria in Collaboration with the China Cultural Centre to Mark IWD 2021.
Goodwill Message Delivered By Director Of CCCN
With the aim to celebrate 2021 International Women‘s Day (IWD) and promote cultural exchanges between China and Nigeria, the China Cultural Centre in Nigeria (CCCN) and Female Artists Association of Nigeria (FEAAN) jointly present “All Female Contemporary Art Exhibition” which brings many Nigerian female artists’ talents into full play.
2021 not only marks the 50th Anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relationship between China and Nigeria, but also witnesses the 8-year-old good relationship between CCCN and FEAAN. In those past years, various kinds of exhibitions, salon activities, fashion shows, lectures on female topics were successfully held thanks to the fruitful cooperation between CCCN and FEAAN. Here my special thanks go to Madam Ngozi Akande, Exhibition Coordinator of FEAAN and Madam Linda Jia, Deputy Director of CCCN, it is these two outstanding females’ valuable contribution that makes this wonderful exhibition possible!
On behalf of CCCN, It is a great pleasure to extend my warmest Congratulations on the opening of this virtual art exhibition themed with “Choose To Challenge: Women in Culture” , and I sincerely wish the Exhibition a great success!
Enjoy the exhibition and appreciate the amazing female culture.
Li Xuda
Director of CCCN
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FOREWARD FOR VIRTUAL EXHIBITION:
International Women’s Day (IWD) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. This Year’s theme #ChooseToChallege is apt. As Women In Culture! We have choose to challenge and call out gender bias and inequality. The Challenge is also about questioning stereotype and also help to forge an inclusive world.
Female Artists Association of Nigeria( FEAAN) and the China Cultural Centre have an existing relationship that has spanned over 8 years. We have had joint programs to mark international Women’s Day and exchanged programs in China. Due to the pandemic a lot of programs were cancelled.
We have no option than to adjust ourselves to the “new normal’ by putting up this virtual and physical Art Exhibition. This is to limit the number of people gathering together at the exhibition venue. All Covid 19 protocols will be observed. The all female contemporary art exhibition will showcase works in different media such as paintings, ceramics, and sculpture. We appreciate the Director China Culture Centre, Mr. Mr Li Xiuda and the Deputy Director Madam Jia Xiaoling for giving us this opportunity.
Happy Viewing
Ngozi Akande
Exhibition Coordinator
I believe in my identity as an African, my symbols and culture means a lot to me. My right should be respected as a human being, I should be free to leave in any part of the world without discrimination.
“JUDITH YAHAYA, Uncertainties, Acrylic on Canvas, 70cm x 60cm, 2021”
This painting represents women and girls uncertain about what the future holds for them but they keep striving and working hard for a better self and a better society with hope because they believe in themselves.
“DAMILOLA OLUSEGUN, Finding LULU II, Charcoal and Acrylic on canvas, 135cm x 180cm, 2021”
Finding yourself comes in phases and several forms
Finding yourself is a challenge
Finding your form is a challenge
Crossing the phases is a challenge
Challenge your challenges
Lulu can be your mental being
Lulu can be your lover/soulmate
Lulu can be YOU
Submit yourself to find Lulu; to find yourself
This completes who you are.
“MEHRJABIN IFTIKHAR, Women wearing bangles, Acrylic on canvas, 36 x 36 inches, 2019”
This painting shows culture of rural area . Some girls are wearing bangles to adorn themselves. This culture is prevailing since prehistoric times up modern times today. One girl is carrying water pitcher as they do not have access to tap water. This culture prevails in undeveloped parts or villages
“HAFSAT KABIR AHMED, With her..in her arms, Oil on canvas, 42 x 55 inches, 2018”
The work is an abstract oil painting comprising of soft and cool colors in depiction of a woman’s strength, the strokes relate to her strive and how she is seen as a fortress of comfort. Women are crucial parts of the society, and need to be acknowledged in all spheres of life.
“KUKOYI OLAJUMOKE (Mrs.), The Bride, Mixed Media, 24 x 30 inches, 2019”
The bride, a mixed media painting that showcased the culture of a Nigerian bride during the traditional marriage ceremony, culture - our pride.
“ONYINYE EZENNIA (ZENNIA), African Bride, Nails and thread (string) on board, 24 x 20 inches, 2020”
The thread and hairstyle expresses beauty, showing the evolution in the culture, marriage and tradition.
“ESTHER ADEBAYO, The African Wine, Acrylic on canvas, 24 x 48 inches, 2020”
This wine is created by gathering the sap from a wounded palm tree ( as seeing in the piece, the one who create the wound and fetch the sap is known as palm wine tapper). There are many benefits from drinking pure palm wine which are: VitaminC, Yeast, Sugar, Amino Acid, Carbohydrates, Protein, Iron, Zinc, Magnesium, Potassium, Bacteria, Vitamin B1, B2, B3, and B6
“CHINZE OJOBO, Friends for Life, Acrylic on Carved Wood, 135cm x 120cm, 2020”
Best friends are priceless treasures. True friendship is like a gift they keep on giving, even when you are miles away. A listening ear, a shoulder to cry on, supporting you every step of the way. True friendship never dies, they are like angels, they have your back. Remember anything is possible when you have the right friends behind you.
“OMON SOPHIA IGBINOVIA, Susan (Warrior’s Dairy I), Acrylic on Paper, 38cm x 56cm, 2021”
I dedicate this painting to a super, amazing and strong woman Susan.
Due to the fact that stress causes most of the crisis in sickle cell, most victims find it difficult to live a normal life and living in a society where you’re not anything until you achieve something. Despite the pains and leg alcer they go through, this woman choose to challenge her health and herself by pursuing her modeling career and also an entrepreneur, and her goal is to support and inspires other sickle cell victims in the society.
“JENNY OJEH, Rejuvenation, Sand on Board, 23 x 26 Inches, 2019”
This body of work focuses on the revival of a Phenomenal Woman. Even though a woman might not be beautiful according to society’s standards, every woman is beautiful on the inside. Inner beauty is much more beautiful when worn with confidence.
“MABEL O. IGOCHE, Motherhood, Oil on canvas, 60 X 60 cm, 2021”
Women loves with her whole heart.she devotes her life wholeheartedly to her family.she nurtures and endures pain for the love of her family
“AYOOLA OMOVO, My Model, Acrylic on Watercolour Paper, 16 x 20 inches, 2021”
Mummy always covers her hair while cooking and when going to bed,so I noticed my little daughter picked it up and started doing same (laugh).
Indeed our children are first examples of our Culture and attitude!
“Dr. RITADORIS UBAH, Choose to Challenge, 36 x 48 inches, Acrylic on canvas, 2021”
Economic pressures are forcing most women to take extra work to overcome their challenges.
The woman roasting corn is no exception.
It is noble to" choose to challenge "instead of having the challenges to overwhelm.
“KATURAG CHINYIO, Wealth in Fertility, Acrylic on Canvas, 70cm x 52cm, 2021”
In most cultures fertility is termed as wealth. The painting depicts a mother holding her child adoringly and around her are motifs of cowrie and flowers all signifying wealth in birth.
Nwa Afó’ tells of a girl in her youth with eyes full of hope for the future, as she wears her cultural beads with trust in her family, her community and her cultural heritage to guide her. We would not let her down.
Description: ‘Nwa Afó’ tells of a girl in her youth with eyes full of hope for the future, as she wears her cultural beads with trust in her family, her community and her cultural heritage to guide her. We would not let her down.
Acrylic on Cartridge Paper, 12 x 16 inches, 2020
Description: ‘Nwa Afó’ tells of a girl in her youth with eyes full of hope for the future, as she wears her cultural beads with trust in her family, her community and her cultural heritage to guide her. We would not let her down.
“ABIGAIL NNAJI, Day Dream (Ankara Series), Acrylic & Paper on Canvas, 36 x 36 inches, 2019”
This is the first in the ANKARA Series. Ankara series is one of the body of works where paper cutting technique was used to recreate the Ankara fabric.
The painting depicts a girl lost in thoughts as she tries to figure out how to be successful in future and she knows being creative in life is the best way to apply her abilities. She loves fashion and will strive against all odds to achieve this using her native cultural attire.
“ADAEZE ADINNU, Dignity, Acrylic on canvas, 36 x 48 inches, 2020”
Strong women are often perceived as cold and mean simply because they refused to be disrespected, mistreated or taken for granted.
“MAYEN OWODIONG, Focus, Acrylic on Paper, 10 x 12 inches, 2018”
Celebrating Women Leader's in world and to the just recent "Woman in Culture" known for her Ankara signature in dressing, and who like many have had her ups and downs in life, faced with backlash surrounding her appointment, bathed with racists, sexist,offensive comments, is the first woman and first African to become the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo - Iweala is she. What did she do? Stays FOCUSed. #BeLikeHer. #Becoming #Priceless #DoNotLoseFocus
“MILLICENT OKOCHA, Purple Heritage, Mixed media, 36 x 48 inches, 2019”
The Purple heritage is a piece that expresses gratitude to God, to mothers and to modernity.
“UWABOR IRENE OSSUM, Peace in Abundance, Car Paint on Canvas, 24 x 48 inches, 2021”
In the midst of all our troubles and struggles, there is always peace in abundance. Our peace and calm, represented in whites and soothing blues is always more than enough for us, only if we can push aside all ruggedness represented in dark browns, blacks and dirty greens and embrace the peace.
“NIKE OKUNDAYE, Cry no More, Mixed Media, 24 x 52' inches, 2002”
Nike Okundaye, Cry no More, Mixed Media, 24 x 52' inches, 2002
“BRIDGET NWANZE (Prof.), Speak Out, Digital Art, 12 x 16.5 inches, 2020”
Women should always speak out in whatever situation they find themselves.
“ADDIS OKOLI, Selfie, 80cm x 80cm, Acrylic and paper on canvas, 2020”
When there was practically nothing to do during the lockdown we all decided to entertain ourselves by taking and uploading more pictures on social media so that friends and family would know and sometimes think we were doing OK.
“LARA BOGLO, Challenge of culture, 36cm x 26cm, Acrylic on paper, 2020”
We Choose to challenge the west and the world on. Our culture when wear our culture with pride
“NGOZI AKANDE, Protect Our Culture, Mixed Media (Acrylic, Textile, Paper, Carton), 20 x 24 inches, 2020”
“OGBONNA DIVINE FAVOUR, Nwa Afó (Child of the soil), Acrylic on cartridge Paper, 12 x 16 inches, 2020”
