NGA PARTNERS WITH THE ITALIAN EMBASSY ON THE EXHIBITION OF NIGERIAN ARTWORKS.

Mr. Abdullahi Muku, Director-General of the National Gallery of Art, Nigeria secured a partnership deal with the Embassy of Italy on the exhibition of Nigerian artworks. Mr. Muku led a team of the National Gallery of Art to a meeting with officials of the Embassy of Italy headed by His Excellency, Ambassador Roberto Colamine

The first exhibition will hold between 30th May & 3rd June 2011 as part of activities to celebrate the Italian National Day and second one is scheduled for October 2011; to celebrate the Italian Language / cultural week. Already a team made up of officials of the NGA and Embassy of Italy has been set up to plan modalities for a successful exhibition.

The venue of the Exhibition is the residence of the Ambassador of Italy. There would be an opening ceremony and reception to be provided by the Ambassador. Arrangements will be made for a guided tour of the exhibition in October 2011 by various target groups which will include Dignitaries and members of the Diplomatic Community, Schools, Children who are already beneficiaries of the Saturday Arts Club programme of the NGA, as well as members of the Media & Artists.

This obviously is a land mark achievement of the NGA under the able leadership of Mr. Abdullahi Muku; as Italy is renowned for producing world acclaimed artists and artworks, and this is an invaluable opportunity for Nigerian artworks and artists to get the spotlight.

The effort of the Italian Ambassador and staff of the Embassy of Italy must be commended for their support for Nigerian visual arts; as well Mr. Abdullahi Muku, the Director-General for his commitment to the expansion of the frontiers of Nigeria’s visual arts. Mr. Muku also used the occasion to propose Italy as a destination in the forthcoming Nigeria Visual Arts World Tour (NIVATOUR). In response to the request, His Excellency, the Ambassador promised to extend this request to Culture Ministry and to Galleries and Museums in Italy.

The National Gallery of Art, Nigeria in collaboration with the Egyptian embassy undertook a Tour of the best of Nigerian artworks to the Egyptian cities of Cairo and Alexandria. It was an exhibition of Nigerian and Egyptian artworks in both cities and it also provided an opportunity for networking amongst artists of both countries. The success of the maiden exhibition of NIVATOUR has thrown up future collaboration between Nigerian and Egypt that will encourage alternating venues between Nigeria and Egypt.

By

Magnus Ojeonu

AD(Programme Analyst), NGA