The Oceans & the Interpreters

Lagos, Nigeria- After months of anticipation, the highly awaited exhibition, “The Oceans and the Interpreters,” opened its doors on Saturday, October 28th, 2023, at two prestigious venues in Lagos. The event, which was inspired by Wole Soyinka’s literary masterpiece, The Interpreters, aimed to explore the complexities of African-Asian relationships and their artistic interpretations.

Nobuo Takamori, the curator of the exhibition, curated the artwork of several renowned artists from different countries, including Malaysia, Korea, Vietnam, and Greece. The exhibition, organised by the Centre for Contemporary Art, Lagos, Yaba Art Museum, Yaba College of Technology, Chew’s Culture Foundation, Hong Gah Museum, Solid Art, and Britto Arts Trust, was made possible by the generous support of the National Culture & Arts Foundation of Taiwan, Tung Ho Steel Enterprise Corp., and Taipei Trade Office in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The exhibition opening, which was held on Saturday, was well-attended by art enthusiasts, cultural aficionados, and notable personalities. The visitors were treated to a curator tour, where they got to learn more about the inspiration behind the exhibition and the featured artists. The exhibition was a visual delight, with a wide range of photographs, videos, and installations on display, all showcasing the relationship between Africa and Asia.

Aside from the exhibition, the event also featured a series of special events, including a cooking workshop in collaboration with the Yaba Art Museum and Yaba College of Technology’s Department of Hotel and Catering. Led by artists Chang En Man and Temitayo Ogunbiyi, the workshop gave visitors a unique snail cuisine cooking experience, putting a twist on traditional dishes.

Another event that drew a lot of attention was the Currency E-Waste workshop, open to E-workers and Yaba Tech students. This workshop aimed to raise awareness about the pressing issue of electronic waste and how it affects both Africa and Asia. The exhibition is opened to the public from 11 am to 4 pm, Monday to Saturday, and will run for a limited time. Visitors can visit the exhibition at the public venue- the Yaba Art Museum at Yaba College of Technology.