For the first time in its history, the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African Art will travel an exhibition to the continent of Africa! In a historic collaboration between the Smithsonian Institution and the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Nigeria, Chief S.O. Alonge: Photographer to the Royal Court of Benin, Nigeria, will open permanently at the National Museum of Benin on September 29th. It will showcase the work of Alonge, who created a rich visual history of the Benin kingdom over a sixty-year career.

SEE THE ONLINE EXHIBITION.

The exhibition originated at the National Museum of African Art and was on view from September 17, 2014–July 31, 2016.

Stella Osarhiere Gbinigie

Madam Stella Osarhiere Gbinigie was 16 years old in 1950 when S.O. Alonge photographed her at Ideal Studio. Over 60 years later, Gbinigie recalled that she and her three sisters dressed up in their mother’s contemporary clothing—lace blouses, skirt wrappers, and headties—and her distinctive jewelry to get their portraits taken.

She remembered how respectful and friendly Alonge was, how he made his clients feel at ease, offering choices for seating or standing and suggesting poses and hand positions. Alonge’s skills with hand-coloring photographs are evident in the beautifully toned image of a reclining young Stella on a couch.

October 18, 2017
1:30–3:30 p.m.

Get inspired by art, old and new! Participants will first learn about uli, a traditional Igbo art form was created by women to decorate their bodies and the outside walls of their houses, and about the Nsukka Group, an artists’ movement that looked to uli and its fluid lines and symbols to inspire their contemporary practice. Then, paint your own masterpiece onto fabric.

This workshop is presented as part of the museum’s series of Workshop Wednesdays. Every first Wednesday of the month, stop by the museum for drop-in classes from trained teachers. Stay for as little or as long as you like to complete your masterpiece. All skill levels and ages welcome; participants under age 16 must be accompanied by an adult. While registration is not required to attend, please remember that these events are first-come, first-served. Visit here for a full list of upcoming workshops.

Free and open to the public