In a bold move to reshape perceptions and celebrate its rich artistic heritage, Benin City is set to host a groundbreaking 10-day art festival, The Benin Art Fair (TBAF), from November 29 to December 8. The event, themed “Homage To The Red City,” will be held at Abstract Backyard on 33 Aiguobasimwin Crescent, G.R.A. The influential cultural art event is designed to spotlight and support traditional, contemporary, and modern and avant garde art and artists from the state.
Spearheading this cultural renaissance is TBAF Director Olorogun Jeff Ajueshi, who envisions the fair as a catalyst for change in Edo State’s international reputation. “We intend to rekindle the dwindling charm and allure of this ancient city,” Ajueshi declared, emphasising the fair’s role in countering negative narratives that have overshadowed the region’s artistic legacy.
Indeed, the initiative aims to shift focus away from social challenges and towards the state’s exceptional creative culture.According to Ajueshi, the fair is to revitalise Edo State’s creative culture, establishing it as a premier global arts and culture destination. He said that the current situation must be reformed along with the morbid stigmatisation of violence, cultism, terrorism, prostitution, human trafficking, drug trade and other nefarious social vices that have overshadowed the sustained artistic and cultural legacy of the state.
These narratives, he said, have led to the conception of TBAF that will project the profound artistic heritage and contemporary creativity of the Benin people to the global art market.#Under the curation of James Irabor, the festival promises an impressive lineup of events, including antique exhibitions, contemporary art showcases and a photo festival. Distinguished artists such as Dr. Bruce Onobrakpeya and Enotie Ogbebor will lead discussions on bridging traditional and contemporary art practices, while a special concert night will feature celebrated Edo music legends.
TBAF seeks to bring the world’s attention to Edo State’s exceptional creative culture, redefining the narrative of its unique artistic legacy and serve as a dynamic platform that celebrates the unique artistic history, traditional art practices and innovations of this culturally rich ancient city.
Ajueshi said that the long term objective of the fair is to rejig a restoration process that would reposition the creative culture of Edo State, particularly its artistic and cultural sites, to their rightful places on the global tourism map. “We intend to rekindle the dwindling charm and allure of this ancient city by highlighting its ability to produce top talents in the local traditional art practices and the international creative industries. “This project is significant because it allows us to bring the beautiful experiences of international art shows and cultural events we have witnessed to the delectation of our people. More importantly, it will enable us create a lasting legacy project, celebrating and honouring our history and government dedication to preserving her people’s image while protecting their cultural and artistic heritage,” Ajueshi noted.
He assured that the fair will successfully position the state as a key player in the global art scene, drawing attendance and participation from various destinations while enhancing the international cultural status of the State. “It is geared towards evolving into a cornerstone of the Nigerian art subsector, acting as a transformative cultural catalyst capable of generating and expanding revenue for the ancient city of Benin and the entire Edo State in general,” he added. He recalled that as a visual art stakeholder, “I have witnessed talented artists from this ancient historically, culturally rich and artistically vibrant Edo State, which has produced some of the most revered personalities in the creative industry being sidelined.”
Highlights of the event include private viewing, live wood sculpting and performance art, talks by eminent artists like Dr. Bruce Onobrakpeya and Enotie Ogbebor, on bridging traditional and contemporary art practices, panel discussions on topics such as art education, cultural preservation, and the role of photography in capturing history, Benin Art Fair Concert Night featuring celebrated Edo music legends.
The Benin Art Fair is proudly supported by notable partners and sponsors, including Hyde Energy, Abstract Backyard, Abstract Restaurant, Thought Pyramid Art Centre, Coronation, Platform, Gramen Petroserve, Kellogg Tolaram, Trustbanc, The Lakeyard Cultural Centre, Prime Agro Seeds, Ministry of Arts, Culture, and Tourism Edo State, Edo State Government, The Osa Okunbo Foundation, Stella Stars Sports Academy Benin City, AK&CO and Daz Teea Cosmetics.