A major proponent of Nigerian art, Adenrele Sonariwo, decided that the time was ripe to introduce it to Los Angeles. Known for her tireless championing of emerging talent, particularly women, her opening show at LA’s new Rele Gallery marked a formidable debut for her hand-picked roster of Nigerian up and comers. “Orita Meta — Crossroads,” which features three female Nigerian artists. “It’s a gallery from Lagos that wants to show more artists who are working on the continent,” said Marla C. Berns, the director of the Fowler Museum at U.C.L.A. Berns said she was grateful that Sonariwo had exposed her to this new roster of talent: Marcellina Akpojotor, who uses scraps of fabric in her collaged paintings; Tonia Nneji, who makes work related to her own medical condition, polycystic ovary syndrome; and Chidinma Nnoli, who explores elements of identity, sexuality and mental health.
SOURCE: THE NEW YORK TIMES