By Cally Ozolua
In memory of the Founder and Artistic Director, The Centre for Contemporary Art, Lagos the late renowned curator Bisi Silva, a group exhibition tagged ‘Archives and Memories” will open at the CCA, Yaba Lagos on February 12, featuring works by six prominent Nigerian female artists.
They are Ndidi Dike, Ngozi-Omeje Ezema, Odun Orimolade, Taiye Idahor, Temitayo Ogunbiyi, and Wura-Natasha Ogunji. The exhibition marks the 6th anniversary of the passing of its founder, Bisi Silva.
It will run from February 12 to May ending.
“The 12th of February will be a significant moment in our institution’s history. We
will be coming together to celebrate Bisi Silva’s pioneering contributions to contemporary art in Africa and her unwavering commitment to amplifying zunderrepresented voices, particularly women artists while continuing her legacy of critical dialogue and artistic innovation,” says Executive and Artistic Director of CCA, Lagos, Oyindamola Faithful,
According to exhibition curator Favour Ritaro, “this exhibition holds deep personal
significance for me, as I directly benefitted from Bisi Silva’s mentorship, which began in
in 2017 and became foundational to my curatorial practice.”
Ritaro reflecting on Silva’s visionary approach, she noted: “Bisi saw archives not as static repositories but as living,
dynamic spaces capable of challenging historical omissions and empowering
communities. This exhibition not only celebrates her incredible legacy
but also invites audiences to explore how archives can inspire new narratives and
transform collective memory.”
The exhibition features artists whose practices intersect with Bisi Silva’s curatorial
archive. Drawing from her curatorial projects between 2008 and 2018, “Archives and
Memories” reactivates works that explore themes of migration, identity, colonialism, patriarchy, and cultural preservation, offering fresh perspectives on their relevance today. Through archival materials, personal histories, and artworks, “Archives and Memories” interrogates the interplay of personal and collective memory, examining how memory is revisited, reconstructed, and transformed over time.
“Archives are not just repositories of the past; they are active participants in shaping
how we understand our history and envision our future,” adds Ritaro. “This exhibition invites viewers to engage with the temporal layers embedded in the works, prompting
reflection on how time alters the credibility of what we preserve, how we remember,
and ultimately, how we make sense of our past in relation to the present and future.”
Ndidi Dike reimagines historical trauma and displacement, while Odun Orimolade critiques colonial histories through theatrical interventions. Taiye Idahor explores personal and artistic growth, and Wura-Natasha Ogunji’s performances explore the
presence of women in public space; these often include investigations of labour, leisure, freedom, and frivolity. Temitayo Ogunbiyi reinterprets local histories and materials for civic engagement, and Ngozi-Omeje Ezema delves into mourning and remembrance, using the elephant as a metaphor for loss.
