The Centre for Contemporary Art, Lagos (CCA Lagos) is pleased to support The Global Cento, a poetry installation and community-writing experience created by artist and poet Ofem Ubi, curated by Chris Udoh, and developed with the support of the Prince Claus Fund and CCA Lagos.
Presented as the second stop of its ongoing journey, The Global Cento arrives in Lagos as an invitation to collective storytelling, reflection, and participation. Rooted in the belief that poetry belongs to everyone—not only poets—the project creates space for writers and non-writers alike to contribute their memories, experiences, and voices to a growing intercultural archive.
At the heart of the exhibition is an unfinished poem, or “collage,” drawn from the artist’s personal memories. Visitors are invited to respond by writing or recording their own reflections, transforming the work into a shared canvas of remembrance and connection. Participants may choose the language in which they contribute and how their memories are represented within the larger installation.
Designed to encourage community writing and dialogue across generations and cultures, The Global Cento explores the experiences that unite us despite our different identities and backgrounds. Through collected texts and recordings, the project seeks to build a multi-author poem and sound archive that reflects the many ways people experience, remember, and make meaning of their lives.
By the close of the exhibition, the project aims to create a cross-cultural story assembled from the contributions of its participants—an evolving testament to our shared humanity.
Exhibition Details
Exhibition: The Global Cento
Created by: Ofem Ubi
Curated by: Chris Udoh
Supported by: Prince Claus Fund and CCA Lagos
Dates: August 1–3, 2026
Opening Event: Saturday, August 1, 2026
Opening Hours:
Saturday & Sunday: 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Monday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Venue:
Centre for Contemporary Art, Lagos
9 McEwen Street, Sabo, Yaba, Lagos
Members of the public of all ages and levels of writing experience are encouraged to attend and participate. Through this collaborative process, The Global Cento offers an opportunity to contribute to a living archive of memory, language, and human experience.
