THEME: RENEWED HOPEΒ
NEXT OF KIN DIRECTOR, CURATOR, AND COORDINATOR: OVIE OMATSOLA.Β
Introduction.
The Thought Pyramid Art Centre is excited to unveil the grand opening of the sixth season of its Next of Kin Art Competition and Exhibition. Dubbed “RENEWED HOPE” and titled “The Continental Season,” this season marks a departure from tradition by extending its scope beyond Nigeria’s borders for the first time. Four non-Nigerian visual artists have been selected from across the continent to join the twenty finalists, emphasizing Next of Kin’s commitment to redefining boundaries, encouraging creative dialogue, and honoring artistic brilliance internationally.
Next of Kin Series 6 Venue, Dates, and Time
The main prize winner for Next of Kin Series 6 will be unveiled during the grand opening on April 7, 2024, at 5:00 pm West African Time.
The Next of Kin Series 6 exhibition will continue to welcome visitors from April 8th to April 30th, 2024. Admission is free, and viewing hours are as follows:
- Monday to Friday: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
- Saturday: 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm
- Location: Thought Pyramid Art Centre- 96, Norman Williams Street, South West, Ikoyi, Lagos State, Nigeria.
Finalists Next of Kin Series 6.
The Twenty finalists are:Β
- Martin Senkugbuge πΊπ¬ (Uganda)
- Yakno Ene π³π¬Β
- Adenuga John Opeyemi π³π¬Β
- Emeka Amadi π³π¬Β
- Victoria Ndubuisi π³π¬Β
- Elie Hatungimana π·πΌ (Rwanda)
- Opara Courage π³π¬Β
- Oladeji Emmanuel Adeniji π³π¬Β
- Joseph Miegbolabofagha Daya π³π¬Β
- Adenle Olukunle Sunday π³π¬Β
- Cliff Kibuuka πΊπ¬ (Uganda)
- Omoyeni Ogedengbe π³π¬Β
- Mek-Abasi Effiong π³π¬Β
- Chinedu Raphael Chidebe π³π¬Β
- Abdlquadr Olamide Ojelade π³π¬Β
- Abdulrazaq A. Titilayo π³π¬Β
- Awoleye David Olusegun π³π¬Β
- Betzalel Alvin π³π¬Β
- Jayeola Damilola Joshua π³π¬Β
- Evans Akanyijuka πΊπ¬ (Uganda)
Key Changes For NOK Series 6.Β
- Expanded Reach:Β
For the first time in our history, Next of Kin Series 6 welcomed applications from artists outside Nigeria. This continental expansion has enriched the Next of Kin exhibition with diverse perspectives and creative expressions.
- Increased Finalists:Β
Instead of the usual 10 finalists, Series 6 will be exhibiting works from selected 20 outstanding artists from the entries who will exhibit at the grand finale on the 7th of April, 2024. This change allows us to showcase more talent, providing a larger platform for artists to exhibit their work and gain recognition.
- Theme:Β
The selected finalists for Next of Kin Series 6 explore the theme “RENEWED HOPE.” Finalists have interpreted this theme creatively, across various artistic media (excluding Performance Art). A concept brief of the Next of Kin Series 6 theme can be found on the website https://nextofkin.com.ng/
For more information and updates, please follow Next of Kin on IG and visit https://nextofkin.com.ng/Β
ABOUT Next of Kin
Next of Kin is a project under the auspices of the Thought Pyramid Art Centre. The art exhibition component of this competition takes place annually in March at the Thought Pyramid Art Centre in Lagos. Ovie Omatsola serves as the coordinator, curator, and exhibition director for both Next of Kin and Thought Pyramid Art Centre, Lagos.
Project Background:
Next of kin is a yearly Juried art project that is both a competition and an exhibition. This is the sixth in the series of the art project where the new generation of artists are guided, supported, and mentored at the initial stages of their career where it matters the most. Next of Kin contributes to the development of fresh talents.Β
Anthonia Nnneji, Christian Allison, Ikechukwu Ezeigwe, Olalekan Adeyemi, and Idowu Emmanuel are three of the five previous winners of Next of Kin and since achieving that feat, they have gone ahead to dominate their respective art specializations both locally and internationally.Β Β
Project Vision:
Next of Kin is an art initiative that has been created to plan and prepare the future of art in Nigeria by discovering from the hoard of current emerging artists- one who possesses that peculiar artistic originality and creative disruptiveness with transcending futuristic abilities and traits. The success of Next of Kin lies in the unearthing of such talents.Β
Gallery Background:
Thought Pyramid Art Centre is an art organization established with a distinctive mentality to be a pioneering art stakeholder in the domestic and international art scene. Beyond art sales and the promotion of domestic art to global art enthusiasts, Thought Pyramid Art Centre aims to be functional in the community or environment in which it exists. Hence, Thought Pyramid Art Centre is largely involved in the encouragement of Nigerian artists and creating a standard accessible art platform for the future generations of artists who will be entrusted with the responsibility of pushing Nigerian arts across the shores and borders of the world.Β This and more is what we envisioned when we thought up Next of Kin.