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National Museum of African Art - Smithsonian Institution

National Museum of African Art Director Cole Visits London for Bonhams’ Ben Enwonwu Centenary Dinner and Celebrations with Hogan Lovells and Africa Centre

Museum director Johnnetta Betsch Cole and deputy director Christine Mullen Kreamer spent last February 14–16 in London to attend several high-profile events celebrating the best and the brightest in modern and contemporary African art. To begin, they participated in the Ben Enwonwu Centenary Dinner at Bonhams’ headquarters. The dinner marked the one-hundred-year anniversary of the birth of Ben Enwonwu, one of Nigeria’s most celebrated artists. Collectors, curators, and market professionals connected with modern African art gathered to toast Enwonwu’s incredible legacy, including co-host Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, SOAS director Baroness Valerie Amos, the Nigerian Acting High Commissioner His Excellency Simon Ogah, and contemporary African artist Yinka Shonibare MBE.

From (L-R): NMAfA Director Dr. Johnnetta Betsch Cole, Baroness Valerie Amos, director of SOAS, Yinka Shonibare M.B.E., HE Simon Ogah (Nigerian High Commissioner) and Mr Aig Aig-Imoukhuede (co-host)
From left to right: Museum director Dr. Johnnetta Betsch Cole, SOAS director Baroness Valerie Amos, artist Yinka Shonibare MBE, Nigerian Acting High Commissioner His Excellency Simon Ogah, and dinner co-host Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede

Drs. Cole and Kreamer also stopped by The Hub near London’s South Bank for an event co-hosted by international law firm Hogan Lovells and the Africa Centre. The evening highlighted Ghanaian photographer Juliana Kasumu and her photographic series exploring the history of the head-tie from Mali to New Orleans. Dr. Cole gave brief remarks and Jally Kebba Susso performed live.

Andrew Skipper
Museum board member and head of Africa Practice at Hogan Lovells Andrew Skipper introduces museum director Johnnetta Betsch Cole to event attendees at The Hub.
Johnnetta Betsch Cole
Johnnetta Betsch Cole, museum director, gives remarks at the Hub.
Juliana Kasumu
Ghanaian photographer Juliana Kasumu speaks to attendees on her photographic series exploring the history of the head-tie spanning from Mali to New Orleans.
Guests
Museum deputy director Christine Mullen Kreamer (second from right) with guests at the event reception hosted by Hogan Lovells and the Africa Centre
Guest
Guests at The Hub
Jally Kebba Susso
Gambian kora player and composer Jally Kebba Susso performs live.