It was an evening of fun, classic beauty and an overflow of camaraderie spirit as scores of art enthusiasts, collectors, and professionals across fields, network and share the delight of art as common interest at the Coronation Group’s much-anticipated 2024 Art Gallery Exhibition, yesterday with plenty to eat and drink going down with the late evening’s landmark event.
This year’s edition, second in its series, was basically dedicated to women, all thanks to the group’s inclusivity and gender promotion drive. It spotlighted the contributions of women in the art world, with the works of over 13 distinguished female collectors showcased.
The exhibition is aligns with Coronation’s sustainability agenda, particularly focusing on gender inclusivity in the arts, and is a clear demonstration of the company’s commitment to promoting UN Sustainable Development Goal 4, which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable education for all. By providing a platform for female collectors, Coronation is fostering dialogue on the role of women in the art space and advancing gender representation in creative industries.
“This initiative is part of the Group’s broader drive to promote responsible cultural practices through its sustainability framework”, declares Ngozichukwuka Akinyele, Chief Marketing Officer, Coronation Group, while adding, “Coronation Group’s belief in the intrinsic link between art and access to wealth is reflected in this year’s exhibition”.
The Coronation Art Gallery initiative seeks to democratize art by making cultural treasures accessible to a broader audience. The impressive collections displayed also underscored the idea that art should be a shared cultural and economic asset, available to all, not just a select few.
Opened in May, 2022 the gallery embodies Coronation’s pledge to create a legacy by investing in the appreciation, celebration and development of African art and artists for generations to come.
The Art Gallery platform is powered by the visionary leadership of Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, CFR as Chairman, Coronation Group. Aig believes that art is created to be seen, to be shared, and to transform the ways in which we engage with the world.
Speaking in line with the rationale behind the platform, the Chief Marketing Officer explains that by fostering the relationship between art and commerce, the company provides a platform to democratise access to art and promote cultural enrichment. The CMO is optimistic that through the exhibition, future generations of art collectors, art lovers, and creators will be encourages to engage with African art and continue the dialogue of inspiration and innovation.
The suitably furnished, capacity filled gallery was alive all evening with contemporary music reasonably blaring from the bowel of the centrally located piano. This provides a good accompaniment to visitors as the select audience shares a very warm evening savouring the beauty of art.
The event attracted a mix of art enthusiasts, collectors, and professionals, providing a space for stimulating discussions on the intersection of art, culture, and business, all interacting with diverse range of contemporary and classical artworks from both African and international artists.
“At Coronation, we are committed to integrating gender inclusivity and sustainability into our cultural initiatives. This exhibition underscores our dedication to empowering women in the arts while fostering responsible cultural practices. We are delighted to work with such exceptional female collectors and believe this event will resonate with our broader mission to democratize access to art and culture.” So, this year, women actually took the centrestage, they decided every work on display came from their array of selections.
The exciting list of the all-female collectors whose art collections were exhibited includes Adia Sowho; Bimpe Nkontchou; Dolores Odogwu Edgal; Dudun Peterside; Freda Isingoma; Funmi Oyetunji and Grace Osime. Others are Lanre Shasore; Nwakaego Boyo; Sola Carrena, Tinuade Awe; Toyin Odulate and Ugoma Ebilah.
Distinguished guests including the Honourable Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, and prominent business leaders, the event which highlighted the intersection of art, culture, and finance was curated by Ugoma Ebilah.
The curator, Ebilah says of her chosen collector, “Yes”, they are indeed speaking. “The women are speaking. the women are speaking through their art, their choices and their collections. the women are speaking of working, living, loving, praying, building ,gathering, nurturing, feeling, seeing, hoping, encouraging, directing, navigating and leading”.
“The women are speaking of life, culture, passion, friendship and courage – as they so often do- and there is no better or more beautiful evidence of these unique female sensitivities than the 2024 Coronation Group art gallery exhibition”, Ugoma rationalises with her full chest as she reviews her choice of collectors’ works on display for the evening.
Yes, indeed visitors savoured every bit of the exhibition including the settings, ambiance, the live band that serenades the guests outside the art gallery and all that went down with it. The glow and bloom on faces reveal guests optimistically look forward to the next edition of this annual art event.
Thumb up for inclusivity and the nexus between art and expression to innate heart desires and strength. In this case, the works celebrate the often unexplainable but powerful character traits in the female gender that make life and family beautiful.
