© Tate Modern
Nigerian Modernism
8 October 2025 to 10 May 2026
EndedTate Modern's major exhibition celebrates Nigerian art spanning the years around independence in 1960 — tracing networks across Zaria, Lagos, London and Paris, with 50+ artists including El Anatsui, Uzo Egonu and Ladi Kwali fusing Nigerian and European traditions.
From Tate Modern
Set against the backdrop of cultural and artistic rebellion, Nigerian Modernism celebrates the achievements of Nigerian artists working before and after the decade of national independence from British colonial rule in 1960. Nigerian Modernism tells the story of artistic networks which spanned Zaria, Ibadan, Lagos and Enugu, as well as London, Munich and Paris. Through groups like the Zaria Art Society and Mbari Artists' and Writers' Club, they fused Nigerian,...
Read more at Tate Modern →Critic Reviews (3)
The Standard
Anny Shaw
'A rich look at a post-colonial art explosion'
"It is this "Renaissance era" that forms the backdrop to Nigerian Modernism, a rich new exhibition at Tate Modern. With so much ground to cover, Nigerian Modernism is a thoughtful and admirable exhibition, though I left Tate Modern with a niggling feeling of wanting more — and ultimately wondering whether "Modernism" is an adequate moniker for all that is on show."
Read full review →The Guardian
Adrian Searle
Sacred groves, a shackled king and astonishing hair
"Nigerian Modernism is a complicated, contrary exhibition, tracing the development of modern art in Nigeria from the period of British colonial rule to the end of the 20th century. Terrors and tremors are threaded through Nigerian Modernism, along with conflicting aspirations and the mess of history. It''s fascinating but frustrating."
Read full review →Financial Times
Jackie Wullschläger
Nigerian Modernism is Tate Modern’s most revelatory show in years
"What shines everywhere is a sparkling diversity of making. Traditional, modernist, timelessly lovely, they hold their own against St Pauls and London's cityscape. What a show: Tate's most revelatory in years."
Read full review →Visit
Bankside, London·View on artmap
Sunday10am–6pm
Monday10am–6pm
Tuesday10am–6pm
Wednesday10am–6pm
Thursday10am–6pm
Friday10am–9pm
Saturday10am–9pm
© Tate Modern
Nigerian Modernism
8 October 2025 to 10 May 2026
EndedTate Modern's major exhibition celebrates Nigerian art spanning the years around independence in 1960 — tracing networks across Zaria, Lagos, London and Paris, with 50+ artists including El Anatsui, Uzo Egonu and Ladi Kwali fusing Nigerian and European traditions.
From Tate Modern
Set against the backdrop of cultural and artistic rebellion, Nigerian Modernism celebrates the achievements of Nigerian artists working before and after the decade of national independence from British colonial rule in 1960. Nigerian Modernism tells the story of artistic networks which spanned Zaria, Ibadan, Lagos and Enugu, as well as London, Munich and Paris. Through groups like the Zaria Art Society and Mbari Artists' and Writers' Club, they fused Nigerian,...
Read more at Tate Modern →Critic Reviews (3)
The Standard
Anny Shaw
'A rich look at a post-colonial art explosion'
"It is this "Renaissance era" that forms the backdrop to Nigerian Modernism, a rich new exhibition at Tate Modern. With so much ground to cover, Nigerian Modernism is a thoughtful and admirable exhibition, though I left Tate Modern with a niggling feeling of wanting more — and ultimately wondering whether "Modernism" is an adequate moniker for all that is on show."
Read full review →The Guardian
Adrian Searle
Sacred groves, a shackled king and astonishing hair
"Nigerian Modernism is a complicated, contrary exhibition, tracing the development of modern art in Nigeria from the period of British colonial rule to the end of the 20th century. Terrors and tremors are threaded through Nigerian Modernism, along with conflicting aspirations and the mess of history. It''s fascinating but frustrating."
Read full review →Financial Times
Jackie Wullschläger
Nigerian Modernism is Tate Modern’s most revelatory show in years
"What shines everywhere is a sparkling diversity of making. Traditional, modernist, timelessly lovely, they hold their own against St Pauls and London's cityscape. What a show: Tate's most revelatory in years."
Read full review →Visit
Bankside, London·View on artmap
Sunday10am–6pm
Monday10am–6pm
Tuesday10am–6pm
Wednesday10am–6pm
Thursday10am–6pm
Friday10am–9pm
Saturday10am–9pm