Category: Art, Media & Entertainment

A Nigerian fine artist, Otobong Nkanga, has emerged the first African to win the Yanghyun Foundation Artist Award in Seoul, Korea.

Ms. Nkanga was selected for her outstanding creativity in media and motivational photography, drawing, painting, sculpture, installation and video.

While selecting Ms. Nkanga’s work, the panel declared:

“In Nkanga’s work, the landscape is a sounding board for ideas, stories and memories, evoking an awareness of our connection with natural resources and its challenging histories.

Her installations are imaginative and emotive, but also earthly: they represent our relationship with the world. We are greatly impressed by the intensity, depth and variety of Nkanga’s body of work.”

Announcing the award, the foundation’s director, Eunyoung Choi, noted that Mrs. Nkanga’s trans-categorical artistic practice was defined by her ability to pervade the complex layers of human and natural traces left in material objects and landscapes.

The foundation awards its winning artist with a cash price prize, and the opportunity to hold a full solo exhibition at one of the world’s most renowned galleries or museums as chosen by the winner within three years of receiving the prize.

The Yanghyun Prize was established in 2008 as the first international art prize by a Korean institution.

Its key aim is to acknowledge and support outstanding mid-career artists by offering a global stage for exhibiting their work.

Past recipients are Cameron Jamie, an American (2008), Isa Genzken, from Germany (2009), Jewyo Rhii, a South Korean (2010), Akram Zaatari, a Lebanese (2011), Abraham Cruzvillegas, a Mexican (2012), Rivane Neuenschwander, Brasil (2013) and Apitchapong Weerasethakul, also a Lebanese (2014).

Ms. Otobong Nkanga receives the Yanghyun Foundation Artist Award at the National Museum of the country in Seoul.

35 Nigerians have made the final list of selected participants for the inaugural edition of Chris Ihidero’s ‘Story Story’ Masterclass after a four week screening period.

The completely free three-day workshop, which kicks off on October 27, 2015, is in partnership with The British Council, True Nollywood Stories and X3M Ideas.

In a statement, Founder and Lead Facilitator, Chris Ihidero said:

“We always knew that there was a need for capacity building in storytelling but it was nonetheless intriguing to see that the workshop was three times oversubscribed. I think we are on to something here and it will be a real pleasure to engage these participants over the course of the next three days”.

‘Story Story’ Masterclass has been described by pundits as another intervention project, capable of bridging the skills gap in an industry that could potentially be a driver for the Nigerian economy.

Nigeria’s creative industry is worth an estimated ₦5 trillion, but peopled by thousands of enthusiasts and practitioners with limited access to training and skills development.

The selected participants are drawn from varied industries, including photography, filmmaking, public relations, media, writing, poetry, blogging, and marketing.

It’s the first time the workshop is happening here, but there are plans, according to Ihidero, a widely acknowledged writer, filmmaker and trainer, to take it round the country following demands.

Chris Ihidero’s ‘Story Story’ Masterclass will also feature a faculty of creative professionals who will be narrating realities in storytelling. Established and respected in the industry, these experts include producer and director, Tope Oshin; publisher, journalist and PR Expert, Ayeni Adekunle Samuel.

Others are award-winning writer, journalist and PR Consultant, Toni Kan; advertising guru, Steve Babaeko; culture journalist, Jahman Anikulapo; writer and TV producer, Nkiru Njoku and producer, Emmanuel Uduma.

34 year-old Nigerian-born Hollywood actress, Uzo Aduba has won her second Emmy Awards [2015].

At the 2015 Emmy Awards in Los Angeles, Uzo Aduba won the Best Supporting Actress in a drama series for her role in Orange is the New Black.

While receiving her award, she thanked her family, show’s cast and crew for the honour.

A Nigerian journalist based in Canada, Femi Shodunke, has officially unveiled an online news publication website, Gatewaymail.

Femi Shodunke stated that Gatewaymail will feature general news and exclusive interviews, with a focus on Nigeria and Canada.

Mr. Shodunke is a former deputy editor of Compass newspaper. He worked at National Concord, The Comet, and The Nation before leaving for Canada.

In his words:

“Considering the position of Canada, and our people’s desire to come over here – to school and also live – I thought we could focus on news that would enrich their knowledge and provide adequate information.”

Mr. Shodunke holds a Masters Degree from the University of Ibadan, and another from Ryerson University, Toronto, Canada.

Premiering on Al Jazeera English on 24 August 2015, My Nigeria is a series of six half-hour documentaries that pulse with the energy of Africa’s leading economy telling the human story.

For every stereotype of corruption, scamming and extremism, there are many millions of Nigerians just making their country tick. Home to around one-fifth of Africa’s people, Nigeria is packed with talent, creativity, initiative and enterprise at all levels of society.

From stand up-comedian Basketmouth to Nollywood star turned politician Kate Henshaw, from ICT expert Gbenga Sesan to fashion designer Deola Sagoe, from football coach Femi Bamigboye to female mechanic Sandra Aguebor, each film focuses on one central character, who invites us into their world, sharing their story in their own words.