Founder of Centre for Contemporary Art, Lagos, Olabisi Silva, passes away

Curator of El Anatsui:Meyina,a touring retrospective which begun at the Prince Claus Fund Gallery as part of the Fund’s 20th Anniversary, died on the 19th of February after a four year battle with breast cancer.

On working with El, Bisi Silva has been quoted saying, ‘it is always an honour to have the opportunity to work again with El Anatsui […] With his scintillating sculptural installations, over the past few decades he has been able to articulate his interest in and study of African History and its post-colonial identity. In this exhibition, I hope to highlight aspects of his artistic practice as well as his professional career as a university professor and its impact on several generations of artists, curators and writers from Nigeria, West Africa and across the continent.’

During her career she has also curated and co-curated various exhibitions such as the 2nd Thessaloniki Biennial in Greece in 2009, and the 7th Dakar Biennial in Senegal in 2006.

Even from her sickbed, Bisi Silva “…never stopped giving: professional advice, financial support and encouragements to all who needed them. She will be greatly missed by the CCA, Lagos family whom she had nurtured like myself.” Iheanyi Onwuegbucha, Associate Curator, Centre for Contemporary Art, Lagos.