Identity:An Imagined State

Curated by Jude Anogwih and Oyinda Fakeye
Opening: Saturday,31st October 2009, 3pm
Exhibition continues till 28th November, 2009

Centre for Contemporary Art, Lagos is pleased to present the first international exhibition of Video Art in Nigeria Identity:An Imagined State, which constitutes the final part of a year long focus on the medium. In fulfilment of our objectives to provide a platform for artistic diversity and experimentation, CCA,Lagos focused on a specific medium over a twelve month period hosting a one week video art workshop with One Minute Foundation and a two week workshop Linha Imaginaria conceived by Angolan Artist Miguel Petchkovsky and co-facilitated with Camerounian artist Goddy Leye and Brazilian Artist Eustaquio Neves.

Identity: An Imagined State, brings together for the first time works by twelve established and emerging artists of different cultural, geographic and social backgrounds from Nigeria, Africa, and South America. The works consider from both local and global perspective, the issues around identity in relation to Africa. As a point of departure, the exhibition explores associations with the label ‘African’ and has been contextualized in a manner that reflects on, but without answering, ‘what or who is an African.’ By exploring these themes the exhibition tells the story of belonging, displacement, uncertainty, visibility and negotiation through the medium of video art.

Participating artists include Jude Anogwih(Nig), Lucy Azubuike(Nig), Uchay Joel Chima(Nig), Luc Fosther Diop(CAM), Bouchra Khalili(MOR/FR), Vanessa Padilla(ECU), Thando Mama(SA), Grace Ndiritu(KEN/UK), Emeka Ogboh(NIG), Berni Searle(SA), Aicha Thiam(SEN) and Kemang Wa Lehulere(SA).

Identity: An Imagined State is accompanied by a fully illustrated colour publication with insightful texts by Krydz Ikwuemesi, Miguel Petchkovsky, Goddy Leye, Solange Farkas, introduction by Bisi Silva and afterword by Antawan I. Byrd.

Public Programme
Identity: An Imagined State is accompanied by a innovative and engaging line-up of educational and artists development programmes including Artists' Talks, Panel Discussions, the well received P.A.G.E.S session organised by Aderemi Adegbite, writers workshop collaboration with WiAiA (Word into Art into Africa), several complementary video art screening sessions and a 2 day introductory video art workshop. Organised by Jude Anogwih and Oyinda Fakeye

CCA,Lagos' Video Art Programme has received generous support from the Prince Claus Fund and Mondriaan Foundation.

For More Press Information and Images Contact Oyinda Fakeye, ,