Art Bridge Project

Today, we look back at the grand opening of Anyanwu: The New Light on September 6, 2025.

Anyanwu: The New Light focused on the Igbo worldview and broader cultural matrix of Nigeria, while engaging the artistic legacy and philosophy of Ben Enwonwu MBE—Nigerian master artist and renowned influential African artist of the 20th century.

The exhibition took place at the National Museum, and featured an intergenerational group of artists: Emmah Ifeanyi Mbanefo, Chinwe Uwatse, Obiageli Okigbo, Joseph Bright, Mobolaji Otuyelu and Chiagoziem Orji—alongside Ben Enwonwu’s monumental Anyanwu sculpture, and painting from the 1950s, and Igbo artefacts and traditional masks.

Curated by Anthony Ogochukwu Agbapuonwu, the physical exhibition was complemented with a book-catalogue featuring scholarly essays and reflections from academics, curators, historians, and artists, such as SUNY Professor Nkiru Nzegwu, Emeka Ogboh, Professor Krydz Ikwuemesi, Dr. Ndubuisi Ezeluomba—with a foreword written by the Obi of Onitsha, Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe. It expanded to a short-film produced in Onitsha and Lagos. The documentary film features interviews with collectors, patrons, traditional chiefs, museum conservators and curators like Kayode Adegbola, Yemi Ogunbiyi, Chief Onoli Ifejika, Chief Akunne Amuta, Nkechi Adedeji and Okechukwu Okalanwa.

Looking ahead, we’re evolving the exhibition into a continental and global platform for shapeshifting narratives and building cultural affinities across Nigeria and beyond.

Thank you to everyone who engaged and resonated with the exhibition.

The journey continues.

#AnyanwuTheNewLight
#Anyanwu #IgboCosmology
#IgboCulture #CulturalHeritage