The contemporary art world in Nigeria is exploding with creative fervour. While more and more Nigerian artists who work in the Diaspora are coming home to showcase their work to the growing pool of connoisseurs and collectors, discourse around African/global art continues to grow.

Since 2016, the NomadicArtGallery(NAG)inVictoriaIsland has been on a mission to provide African art and artists on the continent and in Diaspora a strong voice and visibility in Africa and beyond, pioneering what NAG refers to as “the Afrobeat of Contemporary Art.”

Thenon-conformistgalleryhasforyearscollaboratedwithglobalfurniturebrand,BoConceptAfrica,showcasingAfricanartinthecompanyofScandinaviandesigns,highlightingthecomplementarityofthetwodistinctaesthetics.

“ArtmeetsDesign”exhibitionshaveheldinCapeTown,Johannesburg,Lagos,andNairobifeaturingprominentartistsincludingPejuAlatise,YagazieEmezieandBabaTjekoandothers.

Whilededicatedto‘makeAfricanarttravel’, thenewlyrenovatedgallery remains theanchoroftheorganisationwithexcitingexhibitionsbyamixofestablishedandemergingartists: AllselectedfortheiruniquenessandpassionrepresentingtherichnessofAfricancontemporaryartfromprintandsculpturestopaintingsandeclecticcraft.

“Nomadic Art Gallery is dedicated to diasporic art. We represent art from all over Africa and artists in diaspora. We are passionate about African contemporary art and about making it accessible through art exhibitions and galleries near you,” said the Danish entrepreneur, Charlotte Obidairo, who, with Mercy Imiegha, the gallery director, call the shot in this facility situated in the upscale VI.

Since July 15, till August 12, 2023, the gallery has been hosting a motley of contemporary artists in what has been described as ‘intriguing exhibition’ that promotes ‘Afrobeat’ Art.

“This show, is another demonstration of NAG’s dedication to help transform contemporary African art enterprise and to firmly place African artists at the center of attention for collectors, curators, museums and in public installations across the globe,” said the Gallery Director, Imiegha, who equally share passion for contemporary African art with Obidairo.
Titled,TranstemporalTravel,theshowfeaturesworksbyEmmanuelAdeyemi,FiyinKoko,JanetAdebayo,JoeAbdallah,OluwaferanmiOkeowoandValerieEtitinwo.

And what isTranstemporalTravel?
It refers to the concept of traveling through time to visit different periods in history or the future.
The idea raises questions about the relationship between cause and effect. If humanity can go back in time and change past events, what effect will this have on the future?

The show not only playsontherelationshipbetweenhumanbehaviourandtime, it challenge everyone to consider the complex ways in which human actions can impact the world around. It also seeks to explore human behaviour and habits in different periods in time.
From the old and nostalgic to the futuristic and imagined, the images and objects take the audience on a journey, through various human habits in relation to culture, social vices, beliefs, interpersonal relationships and career.
“The body of works in this exhibition offer a unique perspective on time travel, allowing the artists to explore the concept through a variety of mediums and techniques on surrealistic paintings, installations, and sculptures. They suggest the possibility of alternate realities by depicting different versions of history or the future, that there may be many possible outcomes to any given event or decision. The show is aimed to challenge our perceptions of time and space and encourage us to consider the possibilities of transtemporal travel,” the gallery said in it’s statement.

It takes its audience on a journey from the old and nostalgic to the futuristic and imagined, intricately demonstrating human habits in relation to culture, social vices, beliefs, career, and interpersonal relationships.

The talented artists display their stirring compositions,while speaking inalanguagethatcommunicatesbestincontemporarytones.
Theydeploypoetry,elegance,compassionandlusttounderscoretherelationshipsbetweenhumanbehaviourandtime.

In addition to exploring the technical aspects of time travel, they also use the concept as a means to explore the metaphorical road maps of life, themes of redemption, lucid dreams, healing and love, the nature of free will, the consequences of our actions, and the fragility of existence.

“We strongly believe that African artists are on the brink of their own ‘Afrobeat’breakthrough,” said Imiegha.
“For seven years, we have been criss-crossing the continent, exhibiting and learning about the intricacies and diversity of African art and we are more confident now than ever, that time is now for African contemporary art,” the two ladies, Obidairo and Imiegha, echoed.