Dear all,
January 2008 turned out to be a significant time for Kenyans what with the political and social unrest in Kenya itself and the continuing success of half-Kenyan Democrat candidate, Barack Obama. It was therefore timely that the Africa Centre held a private view of the work of Kenyan-born, international art star Wangechi Mutu.
Contemporary artists with Wangechi’s level of talent can play a part in broadening people’s ideas about a country, a people or a place. Though the work of the best African contemporary artists is universal, in some senses all artists of African descent do a job (perhaps unintentionally) of exposing the internal lives of black peoples, moving us on to appreciate the expressive, reflective and sometimes flawed, three-dimensional beings that we are.
Top-flight contemporary African art is going to play a major role in the new Africa Centre and one of the tasks of this event was to signal this commitment to excellence in the arts and culture.
In a Britain whose African population is rapidly expanding, it is increasingly important that Africans who are excelling in their fields demonstrate the best Africa has to offer. All Africans must play our part, however small, in redefining ‘Brand Africa’.
One of the wonderful aspects of the event was the wide and diverse range of people that came to support the current efforts of the Africa Centre and view the art work, demonstrating the universal appeal of good, innovative, and cutting-edge African culture. Gathered together in the same room were the hippest, freshest, cleverest, and most successful UK-based Africans.
The Africa Centre wants to attract a new generation of Africans and Africaphiles who are committed to improving the representation of Africa as well as developing the arts, culture and creativity on the continent and in the Diaspora.
Thus far, the Centre has had a wonderful response in terms of people volunteering their expertise and applying for membership of the Management Council and other working committees. The Africa Centre appreciates this and hopes to see a continued influx of new energy, support and goodwill of those that are excelling in their field and care about Africa and its development.
In order to see the sort of Africa Centre you want, in order to create an Africa Centre that excites everyone, it will be important to promote innovative and fresh ideas for events, exhibitions, conferences, and so on. (But please note that just turning up to events and having a great time are also greatly appreciated!).
There was a terrific energy in the gallery that night and a shared feeling of excitement and joy. I want to thank each and every one of you for coming.
A formal thanks is due to James Lindon and Victoria Miro for allowing us this rare opportunity to host this private view of Wangechi Mutu’s work.
Please forward any recollections and positive comments to the website. Also if we have not put your name on a picture, please tell us immediately what it is so we can name you!
Yours Sincerely,
Zina Saro-Wiwa
Creative Consultant for The Africa Centre
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