This book brings together from four years of study on Nigerian contemporary art's internationalization. The monograph integrates voices of African (Nigerian) artists and art market players into the growing discourse on the emerging art markets in the global South. It explores the logic of competition and dynamics of power relations in the global markets, focusing on the internationalization of contemporary art forms from peripheral regions. The book confirms that the internationalization of contemporary art form from Nigeria is limited due to systematic marginalization in the artistic field, which in this case based on postcolonialism, and debilitating socio-economic factors such as outmoded art education, unstructured support system and weak mechanism for local validation, and an inefficient political framework for art governance.
It will therefore be useful to students and researchers in the sociology of art, art market studies, art history and culture polity.
Author(s): Jonathan Adeyemi
Series: Sociology of the Arts
Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan
Year: 2022
Language: English
Pages: 225
City: Cham
Acknowledgments
Abstract
Praise for Contemporary Art from Nigeria in the Global Markets
Contents
List of Figures
List of Tables
1: Introduction
Globalisation and Contemporary Art from Nigeria
Organisation of the Book
Methodology
Bibliography
2: Sub-Saharan Africa in the Global Art Market Structure
Introduction
Euro-American Hegemony
The Big White Boy Narrative
Increasing Diversity and the Ascendancy of Asia and Latin America
Postcolonial Exclusion
Oases in the Desert: Art Market in Sub-Saharan Africa
Conclusion
Bibliography
3: The Development of Contemporary Art in Nigeria
Introduction
Pioneering Enthusiasm: 1920s–1950s
Experimental and Apprenticeship Workshops
Revolution and Consolidation of Academic Art: 1950s–1970s
Audacious Professionalisation: 1980s–2000s
Art Incubation Mechanisms
Art Residencies
Conclusion
Bibliography
4: Aesthetic Influences of Cultural Nationalism and Decolonisation
Introduction
The Generational Influences of Natural Synthesis
Aesthetic Trends
Duke Asidere: Appropriating the Power of Femininity
Tola Wewe: In Dialogue with Ancestral Forms
Tayo Adenaike: Synthesising Transcultural Inspirations
Abiodun Olaku: Sustaining the Ideals of Classical Naturalism
Olu Ajayi: Exploring the Expressiveness of Colour
Jonathan Lessor: Subjectively Interpreting Nature
Conclusion
Bibliography
5: Transnational Influences, Authenticity Censure and Postcolonial Exclusion
Introduction
Conflicted Multiculturalism and Implicit Reinforcement of Western Egotism
Japonisme
Modern Art and the African Gaze
Fluctuating Authenticity
Conclusion
Bibliography
6: Evolution of the Market for Contemporary Art
Introduction
Merchants and Facilitators
The Structuring Influence of Art Auctions
ART X Lagos
The Tribe of Collectors
Money, Taste and Networks
Weak Mechanisms for Validation
Conclusion
Bibliography
7: Contemporary Art from Nigeria in International Spaces
Introduction
Art Fairs
Art Auctions
Art Biennials
Conclusion
Bibliography
8: Systems of Art Governance
Introduction
National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC)
The National Gallery of Art (NGA)
Unstructured and Inadequate Funding
Lack of Physical Structure
Apathetic Leadership in Public Institutions
Art Gallery Association of Nigeria (AGAN)
Visual Arts Society of Nigeria (VASON)
Society of Nigerian Artists (sna)
Guild of Professional Fine Artists of Nigeria (GFA)
The Female Artists Association of Nigeria (FEAAN)
China’s Evolution from Socialist Realism to Artistic Globalisation
Brazilian Laws of Fiscal Incentives
India and Its Transnational Influences
Conclusion
Bibliography
9: Power Dynamics and Alternative Systems
Introduction
The Impressionists and Abstract Expressionists
The Rapid Rise of Njideka Akunyili Crosby
El Anatsui’s Journey from Obscurity to the Golden Walls
Unorthodox Platforms or Segregation?
Supportive Legislative Framework
Conclusion
Bibliography
Bibliography
Index
