British Council launches major season of UK and Nigerian Art

The British Council has launched UK/Nigeria 2015–16, a major season of arts in Nigeria aimed at building new audiences, creating new collaborations and strengthening relationships between the UK and Nigeria.

The announcement, at the garden of the British Council office in Ikoyi, Lagos, brought together, the crème de la crème of the arts and creative industry in Nigeria.

With live poem recital from Wana Wana, popular on air personality, speeches from Simon Shercliff, Acting British High Commissioner to Nigeria; Connie Price, Country Director Nigeria, British Council; Lola Shoneyin, Founder, author and founder of Ake Arts and Book Festival; and a night of delightful music featuring DJ Sose and a live performance from KPeace, Nigeria Idol season 5 winner known for his brand of Fuji infused music, the event was a beautiful experience.

Showcasing the collaboration that the season aims to achieve, the event was replete with several UK and Nigerian item like tea cups, palm wine gourds, and wine glasses.

The event also featured a tie and dye session where participants made tie and dye with Nike Arts Gallery.



“The British Council opens up opportunities for UK organisations to work in Nigeria and for Nigerian organisations in the UK contributing to prosperity in both our countries”, said Connie Price, Country Director Nigeria, British Council. “It is my hope that each of these projects creates new collaborations and strengthens the relationships between us.”

The activities during the season will begin in September 2015 and run until April 2016, creating new connections in arts, education, innovation, trade and investment.

Some of the key season events will include a public sculpture in Lagos and the first exhibition in Africa by Yinka Shonibare who most famously did the Ship in a Bottle sculpture in Trafalgar Square, London; performances in Lagos and London of a new piece by British musician Jamie Cullum; and work by Candoco Dance Company created by world class choreographers with a cast of disabled and non-disabled dancers from Nigeria and the UK.
For a detailed programme visit http://www.britishcouncil.org.ng/uk-nigeria-2015-16

About the UK/Nigeria 2015-16 season
UK/Nigeria 2015–16 is a major season of arts in Nigeria aimed at building new audiences, creating new collaborations and strengthening relationships between the UK and Nigeria.
Programmed in association with a host of partners, it features more than 30 projects and more than 80 events in art, fashion, design, theatre, dance, music, literature and film throughout Nigeria and includes showcases of Nigerian arts and creative industries in the UK.
UK/Nigeria 2015–16 has a focus on creating access to art, new digital work, innovation, art in public spaces and working with young people.
Partnerships between Nigerian and British artists, institutions and organisations will be at the heart of the season which aims to develop skills and capacity across the creative industries.
The programme will run until April 2016 creating new connections in arts, education, innovation, trade and investment.