Nigerian Modernism: a landmark exhibition celebrating Nigeria’s artistic heritage

Tate Modern has opened Nigerian Modernism, the first major UK exhibition to trace the evolution of modern art in Nigeria. Spanning from the 1940s through the post-independence decades, the show explores how artists redefined visual expression in response to political and cultural change. Through the lens of Nigerian Modernism, Tate celebrates a vibrant artistic heritage that connects Indigenous traditions with global modernism.

Nigerian Modernism: reclaiming identity through art

Set against the backdrop of colonial rule and independence, Nigerian Modernism tells a story of resilience and innovation. Featuring more than 250 works by over 50 artists, the exhibition includes painting, sculpture, textiles, ceramics, and poetry from collections across Africa, Europe, and the U.S.

The journey begins in the 1940s with Aina Onabolu and Akinola Lasekan, who fused European techniques with Yoruba themes. Artists like Ben Enwonwu and Ladi Kwali expanded this vision — Enwonwu blending classical portraiture with Igbo sculpture, while Kwali revolutionised ceramics by merging Gwari pottery with modern studio practice.

Artistic heritage: from independence to innovation

The exhibition captures the optimism of the 1960s, when groups like the Zaria Art Society — led by Uche Okeke, Demas Nwoko, and Yusuf Grillo — developed Natural Synthesis, uniting traditional forms with modernist abstraction. Their work expressed a new Nigerian identity, both rooted and progressive.

The Mbari Artists’ and Writers’ Club in Ibadan, linked to Wole Soyinka and Chinua Achebe, became a hub for Pan-African creativity. The exhibition revisits this cultural moment through archival materials from Black Orpheus and dynamic works merging art, literature, and performance.

Presented in partnership with Access Holdings and Coronation Group, with support from the Ford Foundation, The A.G. Leventis Foundation, and The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Nigerian Modernism runs at Tate Modern from October 8th, 2025 to February 2nd, 2026.