On 9 – 10 May 2017, a collective of art professionals led by Neri Torcello, Azu Nwagbogu and Azza Satti will launch the first edition of the African Art in Venice Forum: a two-day event held at the Hotel Monaco Grand Canal in Venice during the opening week of the 57th Venice Biennale. [responsive id=’43572′Continue reading “A new African art forum gets people talking at the Venice Biennale”
Author Archives: Adora Mba
Nigerian film maker Akinola Davies Jr chats about his unique project for KENZO
‘It’s about Nigerians telling their own stories. It’s about the nuances of beauty in relation to their own community. Capturing our Nigerian community showing a commitment to redefining and celebrating culture, showing the textures of a community in celebration of itself. Gidi gidi bu ugwu eze (Unity is strength).’ – Akinola Davies Jr [responsive id=’42976′ name=’2017/04/16-KENZO_-_RUTH_OSSAI_17.jpg’] LuxuryContinue reading “Nigerian film maker Akinola Davies Jr chats about his unique project for KENZO”
Moffat Takadiwa: the shy guy whose art speaks volumes
His demeanour is unassuming. He is shy and quiet. Yet Moffat Takadiwa has an intriguing aura that commands attention. His large-scale, intricate works are the result of his inner personality: bold, detailed, meaningful, resourceful and beautiful. I always wanted to be an artist. That’s why I was a lonely child. I would find solace inContinue reading “Moffat Takadiwa: the shy guy whose art speaks volumes”
Modupeola Fadugba: the art of game playing and game-changing
I loved Modupeola Fadugba’s artworks as soon as I saw them. Known as the artist with ‘the big red balls’, she first hit the London public eye at the 2016 1:54 Contemporary African Art Fair. We viewed an exquisite large-scale painting of what can only be described as women swimming in a pool of gold,Continue reading “Modupeola Fadugba: the art of game playing and game-changing”
The Emmett Till painting is not cultural appropriation
A painting of Emmett Till, the 14-year-old black boy murdered in 1955 after it was falsely claimed he flirted with a white woman, is causing furore in America. Why you ask? Was it gruesome? Is it a bad painting? No, everyone is protesting because it was painted by a white woman. [responsive id=’42075′ name=’2017/03/emmett-till.jpg’] IContinue reading “The Emmett Till painting is not cultural appropriation”
Lady Skollie gets X-rated: pussy, pawpaw and politics
Laura Windvogel aka Lady Skollie is gorgeous and she knows it. Not in an arrogant way, but in a very self-assured and confident way. She commands the eyes of everyone in the room. ‘I’ve never wanted to be anything else except the centre of attention,’ she grins. https://www.instagram.com/p/BPRhIltjFmF/?taken-by=ladyskollie&hl=en Lady Skollie is getting ready for first UKContinue reading “Lady Skollie gets X-rated: pussy, pawpaw and politics”
Orun, Orisha, tattoos and tea: At home with Abe Odedina
Entering the home of Nigerian artist Abe Odedina, feels like crossing through dimensions of time. Located in South East London, the traditional semi-detached house looks quite normal from the outside. But on stepping in, you are immersed into a cross between Narnia, an African treasure chest and the dwelling of an ancient high priest. [responsiveContinue reading “Orun, Orisha, tattoos and tea: At home with Abe Odedina”
Diary of a PR Girl: behind the scenes at this week’s Lagos Fashion and Design Week
INSTAGRAM TAKEOVER ALERT – Kessiana Edewor-Thorley will be taking over our TRUE Africa instagram account for Lagos Fashion and Design Week 2016, on 27.10.2016. Follow the action @_TRUEAfrica LFDW 2016 has hit Nigeria’s cosmopolitan city of Lagos and every fashionista is bringing out their Loubs and fixing their weaves in anticipation. The multi-day fashion eventContinue reading “Diary of a PR Girl: behind the scenes at this week’s Lagos Fashion and Design Week”
Keeping up with Cuppy
DJ, entrepreneur, socialite, ambassador, princess, rich kid… Florence ‘Cuppy’ Otedola is a woman with many reputations. However, this little lady is too busy being a luxury world-traveller, meeting presidents and moguls, and spinning her decks in destinations such as Lagos, London, New York and Ibiza to notice. Hard to believe that while doing this all,Continue reading “Keeping up with Cuppy”