The Conscious Art Issue

Cover Art: Matthew Eguavoen, This is Not What Was Promised, 2022

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Over the past few years, there has been continuous growth in Africa’s cultural and creative scenes. Across fields, a new crop of creatives and innovators are rising to consciously document the contemporary African experience. This issue is dedicated to the works of these creators.

This issue spotlights the conscious efforts of creativity in society. What is the work of the creative in a world falling apart? How is the creative industry responding to the continuous changes in culture, tradition, norms, values, and policies across all facets of society?

We have spoken with emerging creatives making conscious art and featured their excellent and inspiring works. Beginning with the cover artist, Matthew Eguavoen, who has had a stint participating in critically acclaimed sold-out international exhibitions over the past few months.

In The Creative Lane, Johnson Ocheja and Opeyemi Olukotun offer guided personal narrations of their creative journey, process, and resolutions.

The Spotlights column features interviews with Amanda Kandiwire-Khoza, a South African pilot and digital artist; Julius Agbaje, whose recent solo exhibition titled The Pipes that Bind Us infuses humour and metaphors to represent the interconnectedness of humans and human activities; and Mofoluso Eludire whose works attempt to create narratives that speak to the Black female experience.

The Portfolio column features four other artists whose works embody sensitivity to society, humanity and culture: photographers and artists Harry Odunze, Xaadim Bamba-Mbow, Obibini Kobby, and Ademola Ojo.

We’ll like to see this issue lead you into a meditation about the beauty of art, and beyond that, into the realisation of the significance of art in its many forms as an instrument of change, a megaphone heralding the realities and echoing both the vices and virtues of human society.

Some Stories from this Issue