seen / unseen - Exhibition Catalogue

seen / unseen was curated by Olu Oguibe and challenged assumptions surrounding the framing of African art. The exhibition featured the work of five artists of African origin working in Britain: Uzo Egonu, Lubaina Himid, Olu Oguibe, Folake Shoga and Yinka Shonibare. Olu Oguibe introduced his curatorial thinking in the exhibition catalogue: “The artists in this exhibition inhabit such a terrain of difficulty where the quality of their work and the reality of their presence in the West are considered insufficient to grant them their proper place in contemporary cultural history. They share an African origin, a factor which is supposed to define their work not in ways which they individually define, but along lines designated by others who arrogate to themselves a better understanding of those origins.” Oguibe went on to state that the artists in the exhibition did not belong “in the romantic and imaginary backwoods where the art establishment would rather have them”, instead they belong “right in the centre of contemporary cultural discourse and narration.”

Product:  softcover, 20 pages

Publisher: The Bluecoat

Dimensions: 20 x 20cm 

Date of print: 1994

Notes: 

Please Note: This is a vintage book/catalogue and may display signs of wear such as light creases, yellowed edges, faded edges and wear to edges. All archive items have been hand selected and deemed to be of a saleable condition with acceptable age related wear.