Tate Modern’s exhibition Nigerian Modernism, running from 8 October 2025 to 10 May 2026, offers a timely and long-overdue look at the artists who shaped one of the most influential modern art movements in Africa. Bringing together more than 250 works by over 50 artists, it opens up a chapter of history that many visitors may know in fragments, even though its influence runs deep across the African continent and the diaspora.
What stands out from the outset is the shift in perspective. Rather than presenting modernism as a story that begins in Europe and spreads outward, the exhibition recognises Lagos, Zaria, Ibadan and Enugu as major centres of artistic innovation in their own right. This reframing will resonate strongly with Black British visitors familiar with how cultural histories can be sidelined in mainstream institutions. Here, Nigeria is not the supporting act — it is the focus.
Art in a Time of Transformation
The exhibition traces a period defined by change, starting in the 1940s and 1950s, when young Nigerian artists travelled to Britain and Europe to train. They encountered modernist ideas directly, but what they created on returning home was something far more rooted and self-assured. They drew on masquerade traditions, carved forms, textile patterns and everyday life, blending them with new techniques in a way that felt both forward-looking and culturally grounded.
Independence in 1960 marks a turning point in the exhibition, captured in artworks that reflect optimism, energy and a sense of possibility. Later rooms deal with more complex emotions as artists respond to the Biafran War, political tensions and the realities of post-colonial nation-building. These works don’t shout for attention; instead, they quietly document how people made sense of rapid change, conflict and the task of defining a modern identity.
Movements That Shaped a Generation
A highlight of the exhibition is the attention given to the artistic networks that fuelled Nigerian creativity during this era. Groups like the Zaria Art Society and the Mbari Artists’ and Writers’ Club encouraged what became known as “natural synthesis” — an approach that embraced both tradition and experimentation. It’s a reminder that modernism in Nigeria grew not only from individual talent, but from shared ideas, conversations and support systems that nurtured new voices.
Visitors will encounter celebrated figures like Ben Enwonwu, whose portraits and sculptures balance elegance with cultural depth, alongside artists who may be less familiar to UK audiences but whose work played a vital role in shaping Nigeria’s visual identity. The exhibition also makes a conscious effort to showcase women artists and those working in media that often receive less attention in large museums, such as batik, ceramics and metal reliefs.
A Shared Cultural Thread
For many Black British visitors, the exhibition will feel especially meaningful. It acknowledges the long-standing connections between Nigeria and the UK — from students who came to study here in the mid-century, to communities who later settled and built new lives across Britain. The artworks reflect those experiences of movement, exchange and reinvention that continue to shape Black British culture today.
At the same time, Nigerian Modernism contributes to a wider conversation happening within museums about representation and whose stories are considered central. By spotlighting Nigerian artists in a major institution, the exhibition broadens our collective understanding of modern art and opens space for voices and histories that have too often been overlooked.
A Thoughtful and Rewarding Exhibition
Visually rich and carefully curated, Nigerian Modernism offers a clear, accessible introduction to a vital artistic movement. It speaks to those who know the history well and to visitors encountering these artists for the first time. Above all, it recognises Nigeria’s place in global modernism with the depth and respect it deserves — something that will resonate deeply with anyone interested in African art, diaspora history or the wider story of modern creativity.
Listing Information
Exhibition title: Nigerian Modernism
Venue: Tate Modern, Bankside, London SE1 9TG
Dates: 8 October 2025 – 10 May 2026
Opening times: Daily, usually 10:00–18:00 (check Tate website for updates)
Tickets: Paid, timed entry; concessions available. Advance booking recommended.
More information and booking: via the official Tate Modern website.