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Lot Essay
I view my involvement in the inception of this esteemed institution as a privilege. My deep enthusiasm lies in making a meaningful contribution to MOWAA, especially as a young Nigerian creative. The laudable objectives, visionary pursuits, and overarching mission of this initiative are truly praiseworthy, given its intrinsic significance and societal impact. It brings me great satisfaction not only to observe, but also to actively engage in this endeavor. I extend my heartfelt appreciation.’
– JOHNSON EZIEFULA
Christie’s and the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) in Nigeria are collaborating to raise funds for MOWAA and its initiatives to create a cultural ecosystem in Benin City, based on the art of the past, present and future. A number of artists have generously agreed to donate original works of art to the auction, including Yinka Shonibare, Tunji Adeniyi-Jones, Lakwena Maciver and Victor Ehikhamenor. Proceeds from the sale of the works will go towards MOWAA initiatives including the presentation of the Nigeria Pavilion at La Biennale di Venezia, 2024—commissioned by the Governor of Edo State and also curated by Aindrea Emelife—and the 20-acre Creative Campus, including the Rainforest Gallery. Designed by the Dakar-based architecture firm Worofila, the Rainforest Gallery will be dedicated to showcasing Modern and Contemporary art, as well as historic exhibitions.
Johnson Eziefula is a Nigerian artist, who lives and works primarily in Lagos, Nigeria. Eziefula found the earliest influences for his art through illustrations in works of canonical African literature, such as Chinua Achebe’s “Things Fall Apart,” “Chike & the River” and various anthologies of African poetry. He is a self-described naturalist painter who aims to capture the essence of the human condition. Blurring the lines between figuration and expressionism, the artist’s works explore themes of identity, cultural hybridity, and the human psyche. Eziefula has created a dark, monochromatic painterly style of his subjects that has come to be a signature of his work. In 2021, he obtained a Bachelors degree in Pharmacy at the University of Lagos, Nigeria. Eziefula has exhibited his works widely across major cities including London, New York, Miami, Brussels, Paris, Lisbon and Stockholm, among others. In 2022, he had his debut solo exhibition at Maruani Mercier Gallery, in Brussels, Belgium. His work is presently exposed at the Detroit Institute of Arts in Detroit, Michigan and appear in several important collections including; Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM), Miami, FL, the Xiao Museum of Rizhao, China, Onassis Collection, Athens, Greece, Buxton Contemporary, Southbank, Australia.
– JOHNSON EZIEFULA
Christie’s and the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) in Nigeria are collaborating to raise funds for MOWAA and its initiatives to create a cultural ecosystem in Benin City, based on the art of the past, present and future. A number of artists have generously agreed to donate original works of art to the auction, including Yinka Shonibare, Tunji Adeniyi-Jones, Lakwena Maciver and Victor Ehikhamenor. Proceeds from the sale of the works will go towards MOWAA initiatives including the presentation of the Nigeria Pavilion at La Biennale di Venezia, 2024—commissioned by the Governor of Edo State and also curated by Aindrea Emelife—and the 20-acre Creative Campus, including the Rainforest Gallery. Designed by the Dakar-based architecture firm Worofila, the Rainforest Gallery will be dedicated to showcasing Modern and Contemporary art, as well as historic exhibitions.
Johnson Eziefula is a Nigerian artist, who lives and works primarily in Lagos, Nigeria. Eziefula found the earliest influences for his art through illustrations in works of canonical African literature, such as Chinua Achebe’s “Things Fall Apart,” “Chike & the River” and various anthologies of African poetry. He is a self-described naturalist painter who aims to capture the essence of the human condition. Blurring the lines between figuration and expressionism, the artist’s works explore themes of identity, cultural hybridity, and the human psyche. Eziefula has created a dark, monochromatic painterly style of his subjects that has come to be a signature of his work. In 2021, he obtained a Bachelors degree in Pharmacy at the University of Lagos, Nigeria. Eziefula has exhibited his works widely across major cities including London, New York, Miami, Brussels, Paris, Lisbon and Stockholm, among others. In 2022, he had his debut solo exhibition at Maruani Mercier Gallery, in Brussels, Belgium. His work is presently exposed at the Detroit Institute of Arts in Detroit, Michigan and appear in several important collections including; Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM), Miami, FL, the Xiao Museum of Rizhao, China, Onassis Collection, Athens, Greece, Buxton Contemporary, Southbank, Australia.