From cinema to ceramics, ready yourself for creations full of substance, stories, and soul as you explore all African art has to offer.
The Art Gallery: surrounded by Ceramics
Four Southern Gild artists connect us to African heritage through the medium of clay.
Art draws us in. We stand thoughtfully before it and linger in its presence, surrounding ourselves with it in our homes, offices, restaurants, and marketplaces. In each issue, Fifty-Four mag will spotlight African artists whose original work explores narratives we’re moved by and techniques that leave us in awe.
The Woman King and Nigerian-South African Actress Chioma Antoinette Umeala on Starring in the Film
The Woman King opened at no. 1 at the box office in September 2022 and everyone is still talking about it. Words by: Mwai Yeboah
A work of historical fiction, it follows the Agoji, an all-female warrior unit that defended the West African Kingdom of Dahomey from slave traders in the 1800s. In truth, the historical warriors who inspired the film were a 6,000-strong female unit of women rejected by society. The film takes creative licence in telling a compelling story of these unruly, undesirable women who went to battle on behalf of the king, taking captives and slicing off heads as trophies of war. In the 1800s, the Agoji were powerful and fierce and became known by Europeans as “Amazons.”
Meet Self-Taught Mixed Media Artist Caroline Chinakwe
Caroline Chinakwe, a self-taught mixed media artist and mother of three, hails from Lagos, Nigeria, and was raised in the UK. After spending more than two decades as a designer and stylist in the fashion industry, she made a transition to the world of art in 2019.
Caroline’s art aims to highlight the splendour of black culture while representing her own black beauty by combining ….
Toks Aruoture’s Journey of Perseverance and Innovation
Welcome to the inspiring story of Toks Aruoture, the founder of The Baby Cot Shop. Born and raised in Nigeria, Toks embodies the Nigerian spirit of resilience and determination. She has faced numerous challenges and setbacks throughout her life, but she has always refused to give up.
Toks’ journey took a new turn when she moved to the UK as a teenager. She had never experienced racism before, but her strong sense of self and her Nigerian upbringing allowed her ….