One of the pavilion’s central themes is African feminism, according to Nwagbogu.
The works will all draw from the Gelede, an ancient philosophy of Yoruba Feminism that honors the iyami, or mother.
The four presenting artists are Chloe Quenum, who typically works with graphics, language and furniture from various cultures; Romauld Hazoume, well-known for his long-running series of masks made from recycled materials; Moufouli Bello, a former lawyer whose work often focuses on the visibility of Black female bodies; and Ishoka Akpo, a photographer who explores digital mediums.
“As I like to say, the four artists are singing the same tune but in different ways,” said Nwagbogu.
Born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria, Nwagbogu is the founder and director of the African Artists’ Foundation (AAF), a sixteen-year-old nonprofit arts organization, and the LagosPhoto Festival, an annual international photography event in Nigeria. Beninese President Patrick Thalon invited him as curator.
