Dis art exhibition wey we call 'Naija Queens: Shine and Shadow' na powerful tribute to the beauty, power, and resilience of black women everywhere, with a special spotlight on our Nigerian sisters. We don gather diverse art forms - paintings wey dey burst with colors, and even photography and textile art.
Each artwork na window into the soul of black women, celebrating how dem dey navigate through life, embracing both the bright moments and the challenges. E dey highlight their toughness, joy, struggles, and their unbreakable spirit.
We dey warmly invite you make you come see, feel, and understand the deep beauty and complex stories of black women, as seen through the eyes of our Naija Queens. 'Naija Queens: Shine and Shadow' dey explore the journey, the battles, the victories, and the ceaseless elegance of our women. Na invitation this be to celebrate the amazing life stories wey these artworks dey tell, not just for our Nigerian sisters but for black women all over.
English Translation: This art exhibition, titled 'Naija Queens: Shine and Shadow,' is a powerful tribute to the beauty, power, and resilience of black women everywhere, with a special focus on our Nigerian sisters. We have brought together a variety of art forms - vibrant paintings, and even photography and textile art.
Each piece of art serves as a window into the soul of black women, celebrating how they navigate through life, embracing both the bright moments and the challenges. It highlights their toughness, joy, struggles, and their indestructible spirit.
We warmly invite you to come and see, feel, and understand the deep beauty and complex stories of black women, as seen through the eyes of our Naija Queens. 'Naija Queens: Shine and Shadow' explores the journey, the battles, the victories, and the endless elegance of our women. This is an invitation to celebrate the amazing life stories that these artworks tell, not just of our Nigerian sisters but of black women all over.
Statements from the contributing artists...
“I’m unbroken. This is indeed the Nigerian woman spirit too. I tell you, our women are strong. We see women, backing their child on their back yet carrying a load on their head or pounding what to eat in a mortar with pestle. Frankly this is beyond power of might. They are the unbroken spirit.”
“Through my artwork, my hope is that viewers will greatly appreciate the diversity of beauty and the ways in which it is expressed through the human body. I want viewers to see black women as beautiful and powerful not only physically but also in terms of their resilience and strength of character.”
“My artwork for this exhibition was deeply influenced by the stories of my grandmother, who was a strong Nigerian woman, and her journey of resilience in the face of adversity. Growing up, I witnessed her navigating through various challenges with grace and determination, which left a lasting impression on me. In my piece, I incorporated elements of her culture and heritage to pay homage to her strength and the strength of black women like her. It resonates with the experiences of Nigerian women who often face societal pressures and stereotypes but continue to thrive and shine despite the odds.”
"Itan" translates to "story" or "history" in Yoruba. Yoruba people are one of the largest and most culturally significant ethnic groups in West Africa. Yoruba culture is known for its vibrant and expressive arts, including sculpture, textiles, music, dance, and storytelling. Yoruba art has a strong emphasis on symbolism and spirituality and has influenced the broader African art world. Itan Foundation World isn’t just about displaying art, but also about telling the stories and histories of West African artists, their cultures and their creative journeys. Each artwork is selected for its ability to evoke a sense of storytelling and exploration.