Contemporary Art from Nigeria in the Global Markets: Trending in the Margins

Description

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.  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