Rewriting Art History with African Perspectives | Aindrea Emelife | CUO S3E4
Published 27 February 2025 in Podcast
Artfundi Editorial
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A summary of this episode of Coffee and Uche Okeke: Aindrea's love for art started way back when she saw the Benin Bronzes at the British Museum. She got her art education at the Courtauld Institute of Art, where she focused on Nigerian artists who hadn't gotten the attention they deserved.
Changing the Art History Story
Aindrea realized that African art and artists were missing from the mainstream art history books. So, she dug deep into the works of Nigerian artists like Uche Okeke, who mixed traditional and modern art in his "natural synthesis" style. Aindrea's mission? To make sure African perspectives are included in the way we understand art history.
Influential People
Art historian Chika Okeke-Agulu was a big influence on Aindrea. He showed her how art is connected to big topics like colonialism, memory, and identity. Aindrea learned that art isn't just about looking pretty; it's about preserving and reinterpreting African stories.
Redefining Museums
Aindrea's a key player at the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA). She's all about supporting contemporary African artists, preserving important archival materials, and creating collaborations that cross borders. For Aindrea, museums are places where Africans can take control of their stories and shape their future.
Digitising African Art
Aindrea's a big advocate for using technology to share African art history with the whole world. She believes that digitizing archives will make art more inclusive and preserve it for future generations.
The Future of African Art
Aindrea doesn't think there's just one way to define Black art. She's all about celebrating the diverse perspectives of individual artists and is excited to see the growing global appreciation for African art.
Dream Coffee Date
Aindrea's dream coffee date would be with curators Okwui Enwezor and Bisi Silva. They'd dive into the archives of FESTAC (a 1977 African arts festival) and chat about all things art and history.