March 05, (THEWILL) – The Female Artists Association of Nigeria is set to host its annual International Women’s Day exhibition, For All Women and Girls, at Nike Art Gallery, Abuja, from March 7 to 9.
Speaking during a forum at Nike Art Gallery, Lagos, the association’s Southwest Coordinator and Vice President, Mrs. Chinyere Ibenye, highlighted the significance of the event, which aims to celebrate and promote the works of female artists across various disciplines.
Founded over two decades ago, FEAAN emerged as a response to the challenges faced by female artists in Nigeria, who struggled for recognition in a male-dominated industry.
According to Ibenye, the association was formed when a group of women artists decided to unite in their shared vision of supporting and promoting female creatives.
Over the years, FEAAN has expanded its reach beyond Nigeria, now boasting over 200 members, including international artists from Pakistan and India who actively participate in its exhibitions.
Ibenye emphasised the association’s commitment to empowering emerging female artists by providing them with a platform to showcase their talents.
“We want to give young female artists a voice and an opportunity to shine,” she stated.
This year’s Abuja exhibition will feature a diverse collection of artworks, including paintings, sculptures, ceramics, textiles, and embroidery. Curated by Mrs. Akande Ngozi Rosemary, the showcase will include 36 artists, among them Adedoyin Adelani, Adiwu Alatu Onkala, Agu Pamela, Aisha Idrisu, and Chidera Confidence Uzoma.
Others include Lillian Chizoba Pilaku, Naomi Oyeniyi, Regina Patrick, Sinda Kwairanga, and Zainab Magaji.
Aligning with the global International Women’s Day theme, “Accelerate Action”, the exhibition seeks to advocate for greater inclusion and representation of women in the arts.
As part of the celebrations, Chief Nike Okundaye, founder of Nike Art Gallery, has also planned a follow-up exhibition in Lagos, extending the festivities with a week-long showcase.
However, due to space constraints, the Lagos exhibition will have a limited number of artworks on display, with each artist allowed to submit a maximum of two pieces.
Ibenye reassured that the Abuja exhibition would accommodate all artistic media, from painting and sculpture to ceramics and textiles.
“Everyone is welcome to showcase their work,” she said.
To manage costs, FEAAN will rely on its in-house curator for organising the exhibition, as hiring an external curator remains financially unfeasible. Ibenye stressed the need for sponsorships and media coverage to ensure the event’s success.
“We need support, we need visibility, and that is why we are reaching out. This exhibition is a major event for us, and we want it to receive the attention it deserves,” she noted.
A brochure detailing the event and the participating artists will be released a week before the exhibition to accommodate any last-minute submissions.
With preparations underway, FEAAN remains steadfast in its mission to amplify the voices of female artists and ensure their contributions are recognized on both national and global platforms.
Janefrances Ebere Chibuzor is a Tourism Writer at THEWILL
