— CCA, Lagos at the 60th International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia
In 2024, the Centre for Contemporary Art, Lagos made a powerful impression at the 60th International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia with its compelling presentation, Passengers in Transit. Held as an official Collateral Event of the Biennale Arte 2024 themed “Stranieri Ovunque – Foreigners Everywhere”, the exhibition was hosted and supported by 193 Gallery.
Passengers in Transit brought together five Afro-descendent female artists from across Africa, the Caribbean, and the United States—April Bey, Christa David, Euridice Zaituna Kala, Joana Choumali, and Thandiwe Muriu—whose works explored the complex terrain of identity, foreignness, and belonging in today’s global society. Through photography, mixed media, installation, and storytelling, these artists engaged with questions of gender, memory, diaspora, and representation.
Curated by Paula Nascimento, Oyindamola Faithful, and Roger Niyigena Karera, the exhibition was inspired by the writings of Angolan author José Eduardo Agualusa, specifically his story collection Passengers in Transit, which served as both metaphor and thematic compass. The selected artworks wove personal and collective histories together, challenging linear narratives and offering speculative visions for the future.
The exhibition was widely praised for its thought-provoking curation and the strength of its artistic voices, marking a significant moment for contemporary African and diasporic perspectives on one of the world’s most prestigious art stages.
