Africa’s
foremost financial institution, Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, has partnered the
British Council, the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and
educational opportunities, to sponsor the installation of the Wind Sculpture VI by renowned
British-Nigerian artist, Yinka
Shonibare MBE in Ndubuisi Kanu Park, Ikeja, Lagos.
The installation of the Wind Sculpture VIwill be the first time that Shonibare’s work
has gone on public display in Nigeria. The fibreglass artwork, six metres high
by three metres wide, forms part of a series of important large-scale works
that marked a new departure for Yinka Shonibare by working in fibre-glass and
steel. Using these materials, Shonibare investigates the shifting movement of
wind passing through fabricand through these grand sculptures, he encapsulates
the sheer volume of wind three-dimensionally with exquisite dynamism. Aspart of
the unveiling of the sculpture, Shonibarewill
give a talk to students and attend a screening of his work at the site of the
installation.
Yinka Shonibare
is a Nigerian-British artist renowned for his exploration of the issues of race
and class through the media of painting, sculpture, photography and film. His
trademark material is the brightly coloured ‘African’ batik fabric and one of
his most famous works is‘Nelson’s Ship in a Bottle,’ which,
in May 2010, was unveiled on the Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square, London with
the support of GTBank. In 2013, the Bank also supported Yinka’s Wind Sculpture “FABRIC–ATION,”
one of hislargest and most comprehensive exhibitions.
The
Bank’s support for the installation of the Wind Sculpture VIis the latest of its sustained efforts to
promote African and Africa-inspired arts locally and internationally. It
closely follows the Bank’s launch, in September, of ART635, a foremost online
repository of African artworks and the leading platform for the promotion of
indigenous artists across the continent. Arts is one of the four pillars of
GTBank’s Corporate Social Responsibility policy and the Bank’s support for Arts
over the years ranges from collecting art work from Nigerian artists, to partnering institutions to promote the
value of African Art in Africa and the international markets through
project-lead initiatives.
Commenting on the Bank’s unveiling of the Wind Sculpture VI, Mr
Segun Agbaje, the Managing Director of Guaranty Trust Bank plc, said; “With its bright colours of traditional
African fabrics, Yinka’s Wind Sculpture VI reflects the creativity of an
artist who is incredibly proud of his African heritage. As a proudly
African and Truly International Bank and an ardent supporter of Art, we are
delighted to co-sponsor the exhibition of this magnificent work of Art and we
hope it will intrigue and inspire everyone who views it.”
GTBank
has consistently played a leading role in Africa’s banking industry. The Bank
is regarded by industry watchers as one of the best run financial institutions
across its subsidiary countries and serves as a role model within the financial
service industry due to its bias for world class corporate governance
standards, excellent service quality and innovation.
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