Welcome to Ada Dike's Blog: British Council welcomes British artist, Laura Aldridge, to Nigeria as it launches its cultural season in Abuja

Monday 28 September 2015

British Council welcomes British artist, Laura Aldridge, to Nigeria as it launches its cultural season in Abuja

Simon Shercliff, British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria arriving the event

The British Council has welcomed Laura Aldridge, British artist, popularly known for her works across art forms such as photography, screen print, ceramics, fabrics and cement, to Nigeria for the Go Woman Go! project.
In advance of the workshops, the official launch of the UK/Nigeria 2015—16 season in Abuja, saw many arts entrepreneurs, enthusiasts and creatives alongside government and other private sector guests gather at the British Council office, in Maitaima, Abuja on Tuesday, September 15, 2015.
Go Woman Go! is the first project in the programme which spans September 2015—April 2016 to take place in Abuja.

“We are delighted to have Laura Aldridge in Nigeria”, said Louisa Waddingham, Director Programmes, British Council Nigeria. “Her work over the years has been incredible and we look forward to the exchange of knowledge and perspectives between her and participants in the Nigerian arts industry. It is my hope that each of the projects in this season creates new collaborations and strengthens the relationships between Nigeria and the UK.”

A Strings

Tie and dye by the Nike Art Gallery

Guests present at the event included; Mr. Mike Omeri, DG National Orientation Agency, Mrs. Eugenia Abu Executive Director Programmes of the Nigerian Television Authority, NTA and Aisha Augie-Kuta, Photographer and winner of British Council 'Through-my-eyes' competition in 2014. Also present were officials of the British High Commission and the British Council including Mr. Simon Shercliff, Deputy High Commissioner; Louisa Waddingham, Director of Programmes, British Council Nigeria and Ojoma Ochai, Director of Arts, British Council Nigeria.

caps worn by British Council staff and given out to guests at the event

Aisha Augie-Kuta and British Council staff

Others who stepped out to support the British Council include; A-Strings, Nigerian violinist who treated the guests to beautiful renditions of popular Nigerian and British songs; Mrs. Dayo Keshi, Director General of the National Council for Arts and Culture; Wanger Ayu, Creative Director and Convener of Designers Market Place; Ms Hadiza Liman who represented the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education and staff of the British High Commission, Department for International Development (DfID) as well as many other arts enthusiasts. The Abuja Season launch also featured a make-space facilitated by the Nike Arts Centre Abuja even as DJ Lambo, popular female DJ, treated the guests to some delightful music. There was a screening of selected films and a maker’s exhibition courtesy of Designer Market Place.

The guests were treated to a mix of UK and Nigerian food including local palm wine served in gourds as well as wines and finger foods like Akara, Samosa, Springrolls and Plantain.

UK/Nigeria 2015—16 is a major season of arts in Nigeria aimed at building new audiences, creating new collaborations and strengthening relationships between the UK and Nigeria.

Programmed in association with a host of partners, it features more than 30 projects and more than 80 events in art, fashion, design, theatre, dance, music, literature and film throughout Nigeria and includes showcases of Nigerian arts and creative industries in the UK.

The year-long season aims to create increased access to the arts as well as facilitate creation of new digital work, innovation and working with young people.

Partnerships between Nigerian and British artists, institutions and organisations will be at the heart of the season which aims to develop skills and capacity across the creative industries.