Obaseki commissions first Nigerian Pavilion at Venice Art Biennale

Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, has made history for Nigeria by commissioning the country’s first-ever pavilion at the 57th International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia located at the Scoletta dei Tiraoro e Battiori in Venice, Italy.

The Venice Art Biennale is world’s most prestigious and storied contemporary visual art exhibition. It is a defining platform where countries showcase their art stars and seek to exert some level of socio-cultural influence. The year’s event is themed Viva Arte Viva.

Speaking at the official commissioning of the pavilion, Obaseki said, “Art brings beauty into our world, giving us a sense of enjoyment and pleasure. But art is not all fun and personal gratification; it is central to social change! Through their expressive talent, artists can deepen knowledge of, as well as initiate positive changes in, a people‘s political, economic and moral life.”

“I am particularly excited about the exhibition not only because this is Nigeria’s first showing at the Biennale but also because it corresponds with the vision of Edo State and the Nigerian Federal Government to engender socio-cultural and economic development through the promotion of art and tourism.”

The Nigerian Pavilion will host the works of some of Nigeria’s most prominent contemporary artists, including renowned visual artists – Victor Ehikhamenor and Peju Alatise – and celebrated performance artist, Qudus Onikeku. Each artist will showcase a unique work centered on the theme ‘How About NOW?’