Photo credit: Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) © Marco Cappelletti
Benin City, Nigeria— Despite the postponement of its inaugural exhibition, “Nigeria Imaginary: Homecoming,” the leadership of the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) remains resolute in its long-term vision to establish Benin City as a leading centre for cultural and artistic heritage across West Africa.
The delay, announced late last week following local protests, is viewed by MOWAA as an opportunity for “renewed dialogue, engagement and understanding” with local communities and stakeholders.
MOWAA Director Phillip Ihenacho emphasized the museum’s role in the city’s future. “We remain dedicated to engaging respectfully and collectively to the contribution of the preservation and advancement of Benin City’s rich cultural legacy, and its people. This includes working together with other stakeholders… to bolster the city’s economic development and strengthen its ambitions as a cultural capital for the region,” Ihenacho said.
A core component of this mission is the active work of the MOWAA Institute, which continues its important programmes in research, art conservation, education, and professional training, even with the main museum doors closed.
Also, Ore Disu, Director of the MOWAA Institute, said, “We set out to demonstrate that it’s possible to build world-class conservation facilities, research and exhibition spaces right here in Nigeria. We’ve shown that African stories can be told on our own terms.”
Disu further underscored the institution’s commitment to the local community, saying, “We have deep respect for the monarch and people of Benin City. Over the last four years we have sought to build inclusive practices that bring benefit to the city, its schools, universities and families. We wish to deepen and improve on this…”
The institution is now working closely with a newly formed Presidential Committee—tasked with resolving cultural disputes—and is “positive that the continuation of these dialogues will clarify the institution’s intentions to all,” allowing it to soon welcome audiences to a “fully operational, world-class center which serves its core audiences… in a transparent, accountable and culturally respectful manner.”
MOWAA is committed to working with other cultural institutions to galvanise the expansion of Benin City, “preserving an important past, whilst catalyzing a future that asserts the primacy of African and diasporic cultural production on its own terms.”
