British Council in collaboration with GTBank officially launched Wind Sculpture VI, a six metre high by three metre wide artwork by Yinka Shonibare MBE(RA) on Thursday, November 24, 2016 at the Ndubuisi Kanu Park, Ikeja, Lagos.
The sculpture exhibition, which is Shonibare’s first public exhibition in Nigeria is also part of British Council’s UK/Nigeria 2015–16 season, which aims to build new audiences, create new collaborations and strengthen relationships between the two countries.
The Wind Sculpture VI, made from fibre-glass and steel by the UK-born Nigerian artist, Shonibare as part of his artistic inquiry into the motion of wind as it passes through fabric will remain on display at the Ndubuisi Kanu Park, Ikeja, Lagos till 17 January, 2017.
Exhibition of Wind Sculpture VI is part of effort by the British Council to build new collaborations as well as solidify the relationship between Nigeria and Britain.
Deputy British High Commissioner, Simon Shercliff, while speaking at the event stated that: “Today is about Yinka Shonibare’s sculpture. This amazing, beautiful, provocative sculpture, Wind Sculpture VI, is going to be on display in this park for the next three months. We hope that this park is going to be the venue of events, workshops, gatherings and public events and that the artwork here will inspire people and encourage art discussion and debates.”
“This exhibition is part of the UK-Nigeria art season which has been on for over a year now and it is coming to a culmination. The art season is designed to create opportunity for people in the UK and Nigeria to mix and collaborate. And also get better as a result. This art displayed today is a great example of the reason for the UK-Nigeria art season.” He concluded.
While thanking guests in attendance, Louisa Waddingham, Director of Programmes, British Council, said; “The display of Wind Sculpture VI is at the heart of what British Council had planned for the UK-Nigeria art season. We are displaying the artwork in this beautiful public park because we hope that it will be visible to as many people as possible.”
Speaking on the display of his work, Yinka Shonibare MBE (RA) noted that his interest in art started while he was growing up in Nigeria.
“If there is a museum in Lagos, for example, it will create massive employment opportunities for people especially in the art, culture and tourism sector. There is a need to regenerate the art scene in Lagos,” said Yinka Shonibare MBE (RA).
He called on Nigerians to support art and artist, noting that Nigeria is culturally dynamic and diverse with a lot of untapped talents that can contribute to national development.