The online African marketplace for arts and advisory Aworanka has partnered with Friends of Azerbaijan, a Nigerian non-profit organisation, to promote social and cultural exchange between Azerbaijan and Africa, putting special emphasis on the art industry of Nigeria.
According to a statement, the agreement, which took effect in Lagos, Nigeria, on March 25th, was signed by Ana Acha, founder of Aworanka, and Billura Bayramova-Bernard, founder and president of Friends of Azerbaijan. The MoU is focused on promoting four different types of cultural exchanges that can stimulate intercultural dialogue.
These four pillars include the exchange of specialists, the organization of art exhibitions, cooperation in terms of art media coverage, and the promotion of artistic events that can contribute to the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage.
“International art exchanges increase creativity and contribute to creating a genuine and diverse environment where artists can collaborate.” Ana Acha, Founder/CEO of Aworanka said. “Our objective is to offer opportunities that create responsible citizenry and contribute to the socio-economic development of the country.”
Billura Bayramova further buttressed this statement saying “Communities that collaborate artistically breed positive social interaction and innovation”.
Friends of Azerbaijan is a social network of real friends of Azerbaijan in Nigeria involved in interactions, dialogues and debates that promote the exchange of ideas and cultures in an environment that encourages interfaith religious harmony. This MoU will further expand their involvement in the art fields, especially painting, sculpture, drawing and design.
Aworanka is an online marketplace to not only acquire African art but also a platform that cultivates knowledge by giving universal access to African art information that before was segregated and was arduous to find. In terms of exhibitions, Aworanka had her debut show in October 2021 with an exhibition titled ‘Framing Her’ featuring eighty-three artworks from nineteen different artists.
The sophomore art exhibition of February 2022, “EVE”, featured seventy-seven works by fifteen women artists from five different countries. The MoU signed with Friends of Azerbaijan will further facilitate the diversity of artists in Aworanka’s future exhibitions.’EVE’ exhibition is still on display at the GAIA House in Victoria Island, Lagos, till May 2022.