The Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art (YSMA), as an art museum committed to serving and enriching the cultural landscape of Nigeria, presents a pioneering exhibition titled: "Collecting Now: Perspectives on Contemporary Art Collecting in Nigeria". At YSMA, we recognize collectors as key figures in the art ecosystem, shaping contemporary Nigerian art through their passion, discernment, dedication, and resources. The exhibition explores the world of art collecting in the country by bringing together works from six prominent Nigerian collectors, each with a distinct perspective and emphasis on contemporary expressions. The six collectors featured are Prince Yemisi Shyllon, Kola Aina, Aisha & Gbenga Oyebode, Dotun Sulaiman, Niyi Adenubi, and Eyamba Dafinone.
"Collecting Now" is more than just a display of contemporary Nigerian art; it's an exploration of how these collectors, as "gatekeepers" of artistic expression, contribute to defining the canon of modern African art from an African perspective. The exhibition explores WHAT, WHY and HOW these collectors collect. By facilitating a deeper understanding of their collecting practices, we aim to foster greater appreciation and dialogue within the art community, highlighting the vital role collectors play as cultural stewards and advocates for artistic expression. They shape narratives, elevate voices, and influence the trajectory of the country's artistic evolution.
Through a carefully curated selection, the exhibition unfolds like a narrative, revealing the diversity of themes, mediums, and techniques employed by the artists. The collectors' distinct tastes and curatorial visions reflect the multiplicity of voices within contemporary Nigerian art, underscoring its relevance on the global stage. In a country where tradition and modernity coalesce, collectors play a crucial role. Through their choices, they act as curators of an evolving cultural heritage, selecting artworks that reflect the pulse of the present while acknowledging the echoes of the past. "Collecting now" delves into the nuances of this curation, emphasizing the deliberate decisions that contribute to the formation of a contemporary artistic canon in Nigeria and Africa.
"Collecting now" will be on display at YSMA from October 26, 2024, to February 28, 2025, featuring between 80 and 100 works spanning diverse mediums, styles, and themes.
Without compromising on artistic quality, the selection of the works aims at displaying the diversity of artists, media, and conceptual concerns in Nigeria art today. Throughout the process, the curator has kept in mind that this exhibition is not about what the curator considers the most important or significant works collected recently in Nigeria, but about which works the collectors themselves consider important in their collections. Collectors intimately know their collections, including the history, significance, and context of each artwork. Their selections reflect their passion and the unique stories behind each piece, adding depth to the exhibition and ensuring that the most relevant and important pieces are chosen for display. Listening to the collectors during the selection of works for display results in a more diverse and eclectic exhibition that showcases different artistic styles, periods, or themes and different approaches to the practice of art collecting in Nigeria nowadays.
A 25-page catalogue with images of selected works will accompany the exhibition. The exhibition will be funded by individual donors and corporate sponsorships.
The exhibition is curated by Charles Udeh, a member of the YSMA team.