SDSU hosts two prominent African Artists in honor of Black History Month
African creativity and performance explored with an exhibition of the art of Bruce Onobrakpeya and readings of the work of Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka.
The School of Theatre, Television, and Film, in association with the School of Art and Design, and the Department of Africana Studies will present a public exhibition of the works of artist Bruce Onobrakpeya (Feb. 10 - March 15), culminating in a moderated discussion panel and staged readings of the works of Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka (March 2).
These two prominent African artists are expected to appear live on Wednesday, March 2, 4- 7 p.m. at SDSU in honor of Black History Month and in celebration of the 50th anniversary of SDSU’s Department of Africana Studies. Also accompanying them will be Onobrakpeya’s curator Kehinde Ekundayo.
The SDSU exhibition of the art and sculpture of Onobrakpeya will run Feb. 18 - March 17 in the University Art Gallery on the 4th Floor of the School of Art and Design. This will be the first time his work is seen in the San Diego region. A public reception and walkthrough of the exhibition with Onobrakpeya and curator Kennii is set for Wednesday, Mar. 2 from 2:30 - 3:30 p.m.
The exhibition will culminate on Wednesday, Mar. 2 with an evening of live traditional African music, public readings of Soyinka’s work, and an open discussion between Soyinka and Onobrakpeya on “African Creativity and Performance” from 5 - 8 p.m. in the ballroom of the Parma Payne Goodall Alumni Center.
Dr. Olateju Kareem, the director of the Wole Soyinka Cultural Exchange, will open the event with an introduction of the goals and accomplishments of the Wole Soyinka International Cultural Exchange.
The works of Soyinka are set to be presented through an evening of public readings. These readings will include six scenes from six plans written by Soyinka, including “Death and the King’s Horseman.” The evening will conclude with a performance by Rising African star and award-winning singer Aduke.
The exhibition and related events are funded by Student Success Fees.
The content within this article has been edited by Lizbeth Persons.
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Black Resource Center’s 4th Birthday Monday, February 28 | Noon – 2 p.m. Celebrate the fourth year of the establishment of the Black Resource Center and its impact and contribution to Black students at SDSU. For more information on Black History Month programming, visit the Black Resource Center website and follow the center on Instagram @sdsubrc.
