Looking to celebrate and amplify black and African art through collaboration and meaningful discourse, 1897, a vanguard international creative agency, has made its way into the Nigerian and African art scene in a big way.
Founded by creative consultant, curator, art dealer and finance professional with extensive experience in project management and client relations, Sosa Omorogbe, she said the agency’s name is inspired by the heritage, culture and art of the great Benin Kingdom, which also happens to be her home.
1897 references the Benin punitive expedition, during which the kingdom’s arts and artefacts were looted and priceless histories dispersed.
The agency she said, is committed to paying homage to the greatness of civilisations past, thus forging a future where black and African experiences are known, understood, expressed and celebrated through art.
She went on to reveal that the agency will commence operations across two departments: the 1897 Gallery and the 1897 Advisory.
Describing the gallery as a global connector, building an international community of artists, collectors, and practitioners; she said it is poised to revolutionise the art scene with its nomadic exhibition format, aimed at connecting international audiences with artists throughout Africa and its diaspora; thus, fostering global community-building.
She added that it would bridge the gap between emerging artists and masters of contemporary and modern art globally, exploring the black and African experience across time and geography.
In addition to the gallery, the 1897 Advisory offers bespoke advisory services to clients, with an eye towards building valuable collections. The Advisory consults on art of all media across every career stage, from early career to established and blue-chip artists.
Speaking at the launch in Lagos, she enthused, “We are thrilled to unveil 1897 and embark on this journey and our mission is to act as a global connector, building an international community dedicated to celebrating and advancing black and African art across the diaspora. 1897 seeks to amplify artistic voices, connect cultures, and provide a platform for meaningful discourse through the universal language of art,” she said.
Prior to founding 1897, she co-founded SABO Art, a leading art advisory and curatorial firm. She began her career in the arts handling fair programming as well as VIP and Collector relations at ART X Lagos, West Africa’s premier international art fair. Following this, she proceeded to work with institutions within the African arts ecosystem, including The Ben Enwonwu Foundation and Yinka Shonibare CBE’s Guest Artist Space (G.A.S) Foundation.
Her expertise also extends to classical African art with a focus on the ‘Benin Bronzes’, on which she has conducted in-depth research. Outside of art, she works in corporate finance, focusing on investment banking. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Columbia University in New York and a Certificate in Art History and Art Business from Sotheby’s Institute of Art, London.
“With ‘collaboration’ at the epicenter of our approach, we are committed to curating diverse programmes in alliance with art professionals and practitioners around the world. Our programmes will showcase works by artists across all mediums and experience levels.”
“By placing a varied cohort of artists in conversation with each other, we shall explore the breadth and complexity of the black and African experience. Through immersive, multi-sensory experiences, 1897 engages with the myriad possibilities of seeing and experiencing art; seeking to explore common threads of heritage, memory, consciousness and identity.
“Our aim is to build a dedicated international community of artists, collectors, professionals and enthusiasts; all striving towards and actively participating in the promotion of black and African art. We envision a future where our art is celebrated on the global stage and there are equal opportunities for all artists and stakeholders in the art ecosystem,” she said.
