Driven by the desire to redefine the negative narratives about Edo, its heritage and people, an art festival designed to promote the culture, artists and other creatives of Edo State, The Benin Art Fair (TBAF), will berth in Benin City this month.
The ten-day event aims to reclaim Edo State’s prominence in the contemporary art discourse within Nigeria and across Africa. It is also to honour Edo State’s rich artistic heritage while providing a platform for traditional and contemporary artists from the region.
TBAF seeks to bring the world’s attention to Edo State’s exceptional creative culture, redefining the narrative of its unique artistic legacy.
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Director, Benin Art Fair, Olorogun Jeff Ajueshi has said that the fair is to revitalize Edo State’s creative culture, establishing it as a premier global arts and culture destination. He stated that the current situation must be reformed along with the morbid stigmatisation of violence, cultism, terrorism, prostitution, human trafficking, drug trade and other nefarious social vices that have overshadowed the sustained artistic and cultural legacy of the state. These narratives have led to the conception of The Benin Art Fair (TBAF) that will project the profound artistic heritage and contemporary creativity of the Benin people to the global art market.
The fair, which will hold at Abstract Backyard on 33 Aiguobasimwin Crescent, GRA, Benin City, between November 29 and December 8, is an influential cultural art event designed to spotlight and support traditional, contemporary, and modern and avant-garde art and artists from Edo State.
The festival tagged “Homage to the Red City” promises to serve as a platform that celebrates the unique artistic history, traditional art practices and innovations of this culturally rich ancient city.