London: Access Holdings PLC and Coronation Group have partnered with Tate Modern to present an exhibition celebrating Nigeria's pivotal contribution to global modern art. The exhibition, which officially commenced with an opening reception at Tate Modern, is set to run from October 2025 to May 2026.
According to African Press Organization, the exhibition, titled "Nigerian Modernism," features 50 artists and 250 works, tracing the evolution of Nigeria's modern art movement from the 1940s to the 1980s. This period spans the late colonial era through independence, showcasing paintings, sculptures, ceramics, textiles, and poetry that have helped shape global perceptions of African creativity.
Among the prominent works on display are seven wooden sculptures by Ben Enwonwu, originally commissioned in 1960 for the Daily Mirror in London. These sculptures are now part of the Access Holdings Art Collection and return to the UK as powerful emblems of cultural heritage and reclamation, owned, curated, and championed by Nigerians.
Amaechi Okobi, Chief Communications Officer at Access Holdings, expressed, "Seeing our Nigerian art on the walls of Tate Modern filled me with indescribable pride. It felt like home had travelled, like Nigeria itself was being celebrated in the heart of London, and the world bore witness."
Beyond the exhibition, Access Holdings and Coronation Group are furthering their cultural impact through educational programming and youth engagement initiatives. They sponsored a student tour at Tate Modern, providing young Africans in the UK the opportunity to engage directly with their country's artistic heritage, while fostering cultural exchange and creative learning.
Ngozi Akinyele, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at Coronation Group, remarked, "The opening of Nigerian Modernism was the largest in Tate’s 25-year history. That signals the scale and significance of our partnership with Tate. We are stewarding a renaissance in African art, just as we have seen in music, film, and fashion, a renaissance that is restoring dignity and belonging for a generation that must carry our story forward."
By supporting the creative ecosystem through its corporate art collection and cultural education programmes, Access Holdings continues to demonstrate leadership in promoting heritage appreciation and artistic development among young people. Coronation Group, through its Coronation Art Galleries, continues to promote the appreciation of modern and contemporary African art and contribute to the preservation of Benin Bronzes in partnership with national institutions.
Together, Access Holdings and Coronation Group exemplify how modern finance and modern art intersect to drive a shared vision.