Thought Pyramid to unveil Next of Kin Series 7 finalists January 25

All is set for the unveiling of the 20 finalists in the 7th edition of Next of Kin Series art competition. Entries for the series, which opened October 1, ended November 30, 2024.The winners will be announced on January 25, 2025, and the grand exhibition will open on March 30, 2025. The grand exhibition is an affirmation of art’s role as a significant contributor to economic development in Nigeria and Africa.

According toexhibition director of the Thought Pyramid Art Centre in Lagos, Ovie Omatsola, who curates and coordinates the series, “The Next of Kin is an art competition that aims to support emerging artists.”

Since its inception in 2018, the Next of Kin Series has evolved into a catalyst for emerging visual artists in Nigeria and across Africa. The platform has not only launched the careers of several talented artists, it has also illuminated the critical intersection of art, finance and economic development. The competition has expanded its reach to artists in Africa and the diaspora.

With Who Will Give Us A Masterpiece? as theme, the stakes have risen, highlighting the vast economic implications of such initiatives. It has become synonymous with talent discovery and economic empowerment.

The creative industry, with visual arts as a significant pillar, is increasingly recognised as a driver of economic diversification in Nigeria. Initiatives like the Next of Kin Series stimulate economic activity through exhibition organisation, artist mentorship, and collector engagement. The financial incentives, including N5 million solo exhibition prize highlight the tangible value attached to creative expression.

The series also embodies financial inclusion by empowering artists, many of whom come from underserved communities, with a platform to showcase their talent. By creating pathways for emerging artists to gain visibility and commercial success, the competition fosters upward economic mobility.

Past winners such as AnthoniaNneji, Christian Allison, and Yakno Jessica have seen their profiles soar, transitioning from emerging artists to sought-after names within collector circles. These artists now contribute to a burgeoning art market that has grown exponentially in Nigeria and across Africa.

Moreover, such events attract international attention, drawing art collectors, curators and investors to Nigeria. The influx of interest contributes to local tourism, stimulates hospitality businesses, and promotes Nigeria’s cultural exports on the global stage.

With sponsorship from Nigeria Machine Tools and TrustBanc Group, the initiative underscores the role of corporate patronage in sustaining creative ecosystems. The partnership demonstrates a growing recognition of art as a viable investment and a vehicle for cultural diplomacy.

The jurors include Nathalie DjakouKassi, a renowned Cameroonian artist currently based in Nigeria. Her work has been recognised internationally, including winning the first African Prize of Creativity at the Ouagadougou International Salon of Art Craft. Celebrated globally for her ceramic art and creativity, she is a true inspiration in the world of art.

Another juror is KelaniAbass whose works explore the fusion of the past and the present, focusing on material inheritance, memory, and the interplay of personal and societal histories. There also is Arinze Stanley Egbengwu whose background is in engineering, in spite of which he found his true passion in art. Inspired by African culture and personal experiences, his works often explore themes of identity, resilience, and shared experiences.

For sponsors like Nigeria Machine Tools and TrustBanc Group, the partnership goes beyond philanthropy. It positions them as stakeholders in a future-forward, culturally rich, and economically robust Africa. The collaboration aligns with global corporate trends where companies leverage the arts to enhance brand value, create societal impact, and achieve long-term financial returns.