NIGERIAN CURATORSHIP AND THE EXHIBITION OF CONTEMPORARY AFRICAN ART WORKS

📄 Project Abstract

The work of this thesis contributes to debates about cultural representation as it relates to the exhibition of contemporary African art works. The central themes of enquiry are the qualification and quality of Nigerian curatorship, and what contributions Nigerian curators are making in the redefinition of contemporary African art works, in light of the current debate into the misrepresentation of African art works by Western curators. The focus of investigation is the extent to which provision for curatorial scholarship is considered within course curriculums at institutes of higher education within Nigeria, and the strengths and weaknesses of contemporary Nigerian curatorial practice. The central questions taken for analysis are: Why are so few curators of Nigerian decent internationally recognised? Whose values and tastes unfluence the Nigerian curators selection criteria? What is the value of indigenous curators in the organisation of international exhibitions of contemporary Afric...