A new instillation has been unveiled at the 60th International Art Exhibition: La Biennale di Venezia in Venice, within ‘Nigeria Imaginary’ held at the Nigerian Pavilion.
"Monument to the Restitution of the Mind and Soul" reflects on the enduring impact of the colonial British campaign. Crafted from clay, the piece replicates 153 objects looted from Benin City in 1897 by British forces, amongst a bust of Sir Harry Rawson, a British naval officer who led the punitive expedition, painted in Batik style pattern.
The work contemplates one of the greatest thefts of heritage and cultural memory through the looting of thousands of valuable spiritual and cultural artefacts from the kingdom of Benin (Nigeria). Situated in the context of debates about restitution, the artwork finds pertinence in exploring and examining the sheer scale of the theft, its legacy, and its impact. It reconnects these artifacts with their cultural roots, using clay reminiscent of native Benin soil. It calls for alternative monuments and the repatriation of looted artefacts, acknowledging their historical, aesthetic, spiritual, and cultural significance.
Nigeria Imaginary runs until the 24th of November 2024.