By Chukwuma Ajakah

Driven by a passion to right the art world’s perceived wrongs, curator Iheanyi Onwuegbucha is spearheading a crucial shift in the art world’s narrative.

From his base at Princeton University, US, Onwuegbucha is dedicated to amplifying the voices and visions of Africa’s most innovative artists, ensuring their pioneering work receives the international acclaim it deserves.

The ongoing Kindred Spirits exhibition at kó Gallery in Ikoyi, Lagos, which is Onwuegbucha’s most recent curatorial project, honours the Aka Circle of Artists, a group of 15 creative trailblazers who have been operating in the background. The Aka Circle, which was founded in 1985 by El Anatsui and Obiora Udechukwu, pushed the boundaries of their creative mediums and defied classification.

Onwuegbucha’s passion project began years ago, during his doctoral research at Princeton University. “I realised this gap in the art world’s narrative and wanted to bridge it,” he explains.

But his curatorial journey started at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where he witnessed firsthand the Western curators’ neglect of African artists and the impact it had on them.

A pivotal moment arrived when Chika Okeke-Agulu shared his Who Knows Tomorrow initiative. Onwuegbucha saw an opportunity to promote emerging artists rather than simply lamenting the dearth of African curators. Under Professor Onuora’s mentorship, Onwuegbucha’s skills blossomed.

His path wound through various roles: festival secretary at the Life in My City Art Festival, associate curator at the Centre for Contemporary Art (CCA), Lagos, and leader of the CCA after Bisi Silva’s health concerns arose. Each step deepened his understanding of curating as discourse, scholarship, and art accessibility.

Onwuegbucha’s philosophy prioritises artists as essential to understanding their work. He fosters collaborative “co-creation” through studio visits and extensive discussions. This approach ensures the final exhibition is a shared vision, where artists’ visions and societal impact take centre stage.

With Kindred Spirits, Onwuegbucha honours the Aka Circle’s legacy, celebrating individual and collective achievements while uncovering the historical roots of material experimentation in contemporary Nigerian art. Tracking down works by deceased Aka artists proved challenging due to Nigeria’s lack of art documentation. Gathering all 15 members’ works is a triumph, overcoming this hurdle to highlight their collective legacy.

“I hope this exhibition inspires younger artists to carry forward the Aka group’s legacy,” Onwuegbucha says. “For other visitors, I hope it provides a space to appreciate the depth and range of creative exploration presented here.”

As Onwuegbucha continues his curatorial odyssey, he remains driven to generate discourse, scholarship, and visibility for African artists. By making art accessible and meaningful to a broader audience, he aims to give late modern and early contemporary African artists their rightful place in history.

The Kindred Spirits exhibition stands as a landmark achievement, showcasing Onwuegbucha’s dedication to shedding light on the overlooked. As visitors wander through the gallery, they discover the innovative spirit of the Aka Circle. El Anatsui’s repurposed materials, Chris Echeta’s three-dimensional forms, and Obiora Udechukwu’s bold sociopolitical commentary all tell a story of artistic revolution.

Onwuegbucha’s work extends beyond the gallery, transforming local audiences from consumers to purveyors of information. His passion ignites a chain reaction, inspiring future generations to engage with the world around them, using art as a lens for commentary and change.

In the world of art, some visionaries dedicate their lives to shedding light on the overlooked. Iheanyi Onwuegbucha is one such pioneer, ensuring the unsung heroes of African art receive the recognition they deserve.