The Yoruba Journey through Life
Visual Art from Nigeria

Sunday 26 July - Saturday 19 September
Opening Reception: Saturday 12 September 3-6pm

NAC is proud to present work by contemporary Nigerian visual artists Emmanuel Emvic and three generations of the Folorunso family. The exhibit has been curated by Ayo Adewumi and Makinde Adeniran, a Nigerian-Canadian and a Nigerian who both have connections to Niagara.

This exhibition of contemporary metal work, drawing, and painting illustrate the unique pluralism of Yoruba people’s cosmology and beliefs. The featured art work explains these beliefs through the journey of life, from creation to death. They also brush against the contemporary societal and political change occurring rapidly in Nigeria.

The boundaries of the modern Nigerian nation cover a part of the world that has a human history dating to 9000 BC. The Yoruba are one of the largest ethno-linguistic groups in west Africa. They constitute 30 million individuals throughout West Africa and are found predominantly in Nigeria making up approximately twenty-one percent of its total population. Nigeria is a land of spectacular natural beauty, its main rivers the Niger and the Benue which converge and empty into the Niger Delta, form the world's largest river delta. It is an important centre for biodiversity. The economy of Nigeria is one of the fastest growing in the world, the International Monetary Fund projects a growth of eight percent in 2009.

We are fortunate to have this collection that originates from across the world here to be shown in Niagara. This exhibition is part of a program called Nigeria in Niagara that has included a musical and dance performance by members of the Benue Cultural Troupe at our recent ART MRKT fundraising event. We look forward to presenting The Yoruba Journey through Life at NAC and forging new bonds between artists and audiences alike.

PREVIEW AND PURCHASE THE CATALOGUE HERE