Director, Jesuits Historical Institute in Africa (JHIA), Nairobi, Rev. Fr. John Okoria, has said that partnering major players in the African art and culture sector is one sure way the institute can provide researchers with publications that are not available in libraries and historical institutes in Europe and America.

He stated that through such partnership, the institute was helping researchers from across the globe to access African records, especially publications that are not available in libraries or historical institutes outside Africa.

Rev Fr. Okoria spoke on the forthcoming group art exhibition tagged African art, to be curated by Paris-based Nigerian curator Bose Fagbemi.

The exhibition, which will run from November 9 to 30, at the Jesuit Historical Institute in Africa, Nairobi, Kenya, is a follow-up to Fagbemi’s first group exhibition, Art and Spirituality, held at St Ignatius House, Lagos in March 2017.

According to the cleric, JHIA will include African arts in its goal and vision of collecting and preserving vital records on Africa.

He noted that the exhibition fits well into the mission of the institute, adding that the vision of JHIA is to provide a cost-effective environment for the world to see and experience religious histories, cultures and traditions of the people of Africa and Madagascar.

“Thus far, JHIA has managed to create an excellent environment capable of putting scholars in Africa on a par with others in the world. We are helping researchers from across the globe access African records, especially publications that are otherwise only available in libraries/historical institutes in Europe and America.

“JHIA now wants to include African arts in the above goal and vision of collecting and preserving vital records on Africa.”

Though this is the first time the institute is holding an exhibition of this magnitude, Fr. Okoria said the exhibition will help contribute to JHIA’s short-term goal of pursuing activities that will ground its vision. He stated that it would create more visibility for the work of JHIA and help build strong partnerships.

“This exhibition is key, among our other activities, geared towards a sustained effort in the collection and preservation of African works,” he added.

The exhibiting artists are Prof Moyo Okediji, Emmanuel Ekefrey, Tola Wewe, Abraham Uyovbisere, Duke Asidere, Zinno Orara, Sam Ebohon, Emmanuel Dudu and Ofuobuike Okudoh. Others are Moses Oghagbon, Achike Anayo, Pius Owolabi, Sophia Omons Igbinovia, Taye Oseiza Erewele, Adebimpe Owoyemi and Augustina Chinelo Obi. The exhibition is also a platform to promote a young up-coming Kenyan artist Victor Binge.

For Fagbemi, there is no history without art because art defines how ancestors put down their stories and the way they lived. “So, given another opportunity to tell an African story, one of the best places is where history is being documented, which is Kenya,” she said.

She disclosed that the participating artists were drawn from various movements and styles in Nigeria linked to ancient art, the Benin Kingdom, Ife (Yoruba), Igbo, Ibibio and the Niger Delta.

“Though the works are all contemporary, but they are all statements, historical works that capture the history of art and time. Also, they are from the perspective of the influence of art studies from different institutions,” Fagbemi added.

She recalled that Fr. Okoria had wanted her to promote African Art as part of their on-going programme at the institute. ‘For me, Kenya is also known for its diversity in art and culture, wildlife as well as politics with its role in history for producing the first African American president, Barack Obama,” she noted.