Tate Modern Unveils Groundbreaking Nigerian Modernism Exhibition – A First for the UK

An extraordinary celebration of 50 years of African artistic innovation comes to London this autumn

If you’re looking for something truly special to add to your London cultural calendar this season, Tate Modern has just opened an exhibition that’s making history. Running from 8 October 2025 through 10 May 2026, Nigerian Modernism marks the first time a major UK institution has traced the remarkable development of modern art in Nigeria – and it’s absolutely worth your time.

A Story Half a Century in the Making

This isn’t just another art exhibition. With more than 250 works spanning five decades (1945-1995), Nigerian Modernism brings together over 50 artists whose work bridges African and European traditions in ways that challenged assumptions and reimagined what modern art could be. From paintings and sculptures to textiles, ceramics, and works on paper, the exhibition draws from institutions and private collections across Africa, Europe, and the United States.

The timeline is fascinating: the exhibition opens in the 1940s during the wave of decolonisation movements across Africa, follows Nigeria through its independence in 1960, and tracks the evolution of artistic expression through periods of optimism, civil war, and ultimately, global diaspora.

The British Connection

One of the most intriguing aspects of this exhibition is its exploration of the complex relationship between British and Nigerian art education. During the colonial period, many Nigerian artists trained in Britain, including at prestigious institutions like the Slade School. They witnessed Western modernism’s fascination with African art while simultaneously working to reclaim and celebrate their own cultural heritage.

Take Ben Enwonwu, one of the exhibition’s celebrated artists, who studied at the Slade and then adapted his training to honour Igbo sculpture traditions and celebrate Black and African culture. Or Ladi Kwali, who trained under British potter Michael Cardew in Abuja and developed an innovative ceramic style that merged traditional Gwarri techniques with European studio pottery.

From Lagos to Ibadan: A Nation’s Creative Awakening

The 1960s section of the exhibition captures an extraordinary moment of cultural flowering. After independence in October 1960, Lagos transformed into a dynamic cultural hub with tropical modernist architecture, public art commissions, and nightclubs pulsing with Highlife music. Meanwhile, in Ibadan, The Mbari Artists’ and Writers’ Club – founded by German publisher Ulli Beier – became a meeting ground for luminaries including novelist Chinua Achebe and playwright (and future Nobel laureate) Wole Soyinka.

The exhibition also spotlights The Zaria Arts Society, whose members developed the concept of “Natural Synthesis” – merging Indigenous forms with modern expression to create something entirely new.

Art in Times of Crisis

Nigerian Modernism doesn’t shy away from difficult history. The Nigerian Civil War (1967-1970) section explores how artists responded to national crisis, including the revival of ‘uli’ – linear Igbo designs historically passed down between women. Artists like Uche Okeke (who learned the tradition from his mother) and members of the Nsukka Art School adapted this visual language into a modernist art form, reclaiming ancestral culture while reflecting on the trauma of conflict.

A Diaspora Perspective

The exhibition concludes with Uzo Egonu, an artist who lived in Britain from the 1940s onward. His Stateless People series (1980s), reunited for the first time in 40 years, depicts musicians, artists, and writers representing Nigeria’s growing global diaspora. It’s a poignant meditation on nationhood, cultural identity, and the tension between national belonging and artistic independence.

Practical Information for Visitors

When: 8 October 2025 – 10 May 2026

Where: Tate Modern, Bankside, SE1 9TG

Hours: Daily 10:00–18:00; Fridays and Saturdays until 21:00

Tickets: Book at tate.org.uk or call +44(0)20 7887 8888

Special Deals:

• Free for Tate Members (join at tate.org.uk/members)
• £5 for ages 16-25 through Tate Collective (join free at tate.org.uk/tate-collective)

Don’t Miss These Related Events

Yinka Shonibare and Sir Ben Okri in Conversation Thursday 9 October, 18:30–20:00 (£15 / Members £13)

Acclaimed artist Yinka Shonibare joins Booker Prize-winning author Sir Ben Okri for a conversation on Nigerian Modernism’s enduring influence, chaired by exhibition curator Osei Bonsu.

Tate Modern Late Friday 31 October, 18:00–22:00 (Free)

Celebrate Nigerian Modernism with music, performance, workshops, conversations, food, and late-night exhibition access. Features music curated by FF Projects and hands-on workshops with artist Chiizii.

Why This Exhibition Matters

In a world where art history has traditionally centred European and American narratives, Nigerian Modernism does something essential: it places Nigerian artists at the centre of their own story. These weren’t artists working in the shadow of Western modernism – they were revolutionaries creating a new African vision of what modern art could be, drawing on rich cultural traditions while engaging with global artistic movements on their own terms.

Whether you’re an art history buff or simply curious about experiencing something new, this is a rare opportunity to encounter creative forces who shaped modern art in ways that are still influencing contemporary practice today. With such a lengthy run through May 2026, there’s no excuse not to add this to your London must-see list.

Nigerian Modernism is presented in partnership with Access Holdings and Coronation Group, with support from Ford Foundation, The A. G. Leventis Foundation, and The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts.

For more information, visit tate.org.uk or follow @Tate #NigerianModernism