Coronation Art Gallery Opens in Lagos

Aig-Imoukhuede at the opening

Coronation Art Gallery, last Friday, May 13, formally opened its doors to a crowd of art lovers, artists and art collectors who gathered to witness the ceremony.

Located at the heart of Victoria Island in Lagos, 10, Amodu Ojikutu Street, off Saka Tinubu Street, the architecture draws visitors’ eyes upward to the massive grand art space; painted in white, with some glass walls and doors to complement its design. 

The art space was officially launched with an exhibition featuring artworks by artists from across Africa: Oluwole Omofemi, Bunmi Agusto, Abe Obedina, Otis Kwame Kye Quaicoe, Tonia Nneji, Debora Segun, Ndidi Emefiele, Peju Olatise and Henry Mzili Mujunga. Organised by Coronation Group and curated by Ugoma Ebilah, the founder of Bloom Art Gallery.

The works on display, which were majorly paintings and mixed media, were loaned from the private collection of Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, who is an avid collector and the Chairman of Coronation Group. 

“In commemoration of the launch of the Coronation Art Gallery, we proudly present a survey exhibition of works by artists who represent the zeitgeist of contemporary African artworks, carefully excerpted from the generously loaned private collection of Mr Aig-Imoukhuede,” a statement from the administrators of the gallery reads.

According to the statement, “the enduring preference for oil and acrylic among painters is emphasised in the exhibition. Less so but equally important are the divergent preference for other media that include wrought iron, fibber-glass, charcoal, graphite and digital print.”

It also notes that the exhibition is a testament to the culture of an art collection that is long-established in Nigeria-relished and championed by lovers of beauty, culture and excellence like Mr Aig-Imoukhuede – but in recent years has been boosted by the renewed interest in modern and contemporary African art across the world.

To promote African artists, contemporary and modern African Art: “Coronation, through its dedicated gallery and evolving curated collection, will be a major sponsor of the celebration, development and appreciation of African art and artists and the inevitable legacy and history-making that will ensue for generations to come,” it revealed.

The inaugural exhibition was well-attended by people from all walks of life who came to enjoy the pieces. If you are an art lover, you should visit the new space.

By Udemma Chukwuma