Inaugural Nigerian Pavilion At The 56th Venice Biennial – An Excerpt

Artist: Raven Smay

Retired Passport
2015-2016
Passport, plexiglass, wood
Variable dimension

I was amongst 4 Nigerian artists selected to participate in the 56th Venice Biennial for the Nigerian pavilion. Last minute, the pavilion got cancelled. This became an opportunity to reflect on the meaning of a Nigerian national pavilion at Venice for its various constituents and Africa at large. The result was my development of the “Nigerian Pavilion.”

Encompassing an entire exhibition of artworks by four “Nigerian” artists, who created sculptural installations, conceptual print media, paintings and photographic series that comment upon postcolonial networks of trade, power and communication.

Copyright Forms
2015-2016
Screen print and Acrylic paint on canvas
Variable dimension

Biennial News
2015-2016
newsprint
Variable dimension