Editor Stephanie Baptist and artist Nontsikelelo Mutiti will present on the forthcoming Àsìkò publication that includes contributions from over 50 previous participants and facilitators of the program.
From 2010–2016, the Centre for Contemporary Art, Lagos, presented an innovative, itinerant program of exhibitions, talks, seminars, workshops and events reaching out to local and international audiences. It was initiated by founder and curator Bisi Silva. Àsìkò aimed to fill a gap in the educational system in Nigeria and many African countries, which tend to ignore the critical methodologies and histories that underpin artistic practice. Using the format of part art workshop, part residency and part academy over the course of 30 days, the art school was held annually in different cities; Lagos, Accra, Dakar, Maputo and Addis Ababa, and focused partially on technique and primarily on methodology, critical thinking, and the implementation of conceptual ideas. CCA, Lagos is an independent organization that receives no government support and has no institutional affiliations.
Contributions to the Àsìkò publication include critical essays, short stories, reflections, and artworks by former participants and facilitators of the program, such as Antwan Byrd, Eddie Chambers, Tamar Garb, Jackie Karuti, Simone Leigh, Mario Macilau, Nontobeko Ntombela, Kwasi Ohene-Ayeh, Mimi Cherono Ng’ok, Moses Serubiri, Shane Aslan Selzer, Victoria Udondian, Zoe Whitley, and Portia Zvavahera, among others.
This event is free and open to the public. To attend, please RSVP to rsvp@curatorsintl.org with ASIKO in the subject line.