I fell in love with Editi Effiong’s Up North for many reasons, but what stood out the most was the visuals served on screen. It was mostly shot in Bauchi and would reshape some of the conservative views I held of northern Nigeria and its creative sector.
Fast forward to 2018, I met Fareeda, a Kaduna-state indigene who’d just completed NYSC in Lagos and was passing the time as a fashion designer till she got a 9-5. If Editi’s Up North changed my perception of the north, Fareeda gave me a complete reschooling. I was one of those Nigerians who mentally limited Nigeria’s art and fashion to places like Lagos and Abuja. Through her, I heard about the popping art and fashion scene in Kaduna that only seemed to evade mainstream.
It was the need to platform the young minds powering the northern region’s creative scene that inspired Ganiyah Sanni, a Kwara-born art curator and exhibition producer resident in Kaduna, to launch KAFART in 2019.
So, what’s KAFART about?
During a chat with Ganiyah, she told Zikoko how she created KAFART after noticing the creative atmosphere in the region, how young, talented artists creating amazing work got little to no recognition.
“There were a lot of young and emerging, professional and self-taught artists and fashion designers doing amazing work. One thing felt missing. There wasn’t a major platform that could bring these people together to showcase under one roof. I felt like there would be more impact if these people came together for greater publicity.”
Essentially, KAFART is the centre stage for creative minds in northern Nigeria to show up, show off and get their deserved recognition. Previous editions have featured exhibitors from as far North as Senegal, Mali, Gambia and Côte D’Ivoire.
The fourth edition, themed “Into the Art of Making”, seeks to “celebrate and highlight traditional African craftsmanship as it intersects contemporary art and fashion,” Sanni said.
There’ll be fashion
It’s the best place to witness the hottest fashion up north? Many young designers debut on the KAFART runway every year.
Two documentaries screenings
Kofar Mata Dye Pit by Niyi Olagunju explores the history of the Kano dye pits said to be the oldest in Africa and the last of their kind. Bogolan Textile by Madame Mariko explores the making of Mali’s handmade cotton textile.
Nok Terracotta artefacts in augmented reality
Source: Think Africa
This is your chance to learn more about the Nok terracotta sculptures popular for being some of the oldest artworks in the world and stolen by the British.
An exhibition from the Kaduna Museum
If you’re interested in learning more about Nigerian history, particularly Kaduna’s, the Kaduna Museum will showcase works and artefacts with rich stories behind them.
Panel discussions
According to convener, Ganiyah, “There’ll be panel discussions that will focus on thought-provoking topics.”
And workshops too
Considering the theme, KAFART will come through with a bunch of on-site classes. Pottery and tie-dye, beading techniques and blacksmithing are just some of the sought-after skills attendees will learn about.
