Lemi talks about the Fela Kuti albums artwork

Since artwork complements the music, with the occasion of the new Fela show hitting the UK, watch a video with artist Lemi Ghariokwu giving an insight into the creation of Fela’s album sleeves:

Lemi’s Afro Beat Art

Watch an exclusive video with Lemi talking about his early career, meeting Fela Kuti and his recent work by clicking the link below
Lemi Ghariokwu: Afro Art Beat from Damien Priest on Vimeo.

Lemi Fights the Power

Fresh Summer 2010 news about Lemi’s work: Punch Records have put up a free exhibition called Fight the Power centred around the theme of PROTEST, be it about global pressing themes such as corporate exploitation, capitalist brainwashing and the environment or small things affecting each other’s life such as  prices going up or rubbish customer services from your broadband provider… the point is: say something about it, protest! And Lemi’s work fits in perfectly with the theme as it protests against colonial domination raising awareness of racial and social issues in Africa… so make sure you visit the interactive exhibition at the Zellig Eastside in the Custard Factory, Birmingham where you get the chance to make YOUR own protest and click here to see some more pics from the spot.

Also, click here to watch a video of Ammo from Punch Records taking us around the exhibition and giving some more info about the artworks and the aim of the exhibition.

Wax Poetics Magazine: Africa Issue starring Lemi

Lemi Ghariokwu returns in 2010 with a feature article in Wax Poetics issue no. 39!  Read the full article and take a look at some exclusive pictures by clicking the following link: Wax Poetics 39.Lemi017

Remembering the launch

Click here for some more pics from the fabulous Art’s Own Kind launch in June at Rich Mix.

Upcoming Nigeria50 events

To take it statistically, one out of four Africans is Nigerian. Also, Nigeria is the 8th most populous country in the world. And when it comes to its inhabitants, it might be interesting to know that more than 20 % of the total Black population lives in Nigeria, which makes it one of the most representative countries for African culture.
Where there’s man (and there are 148 million souls in Nigeria! ), there’s a place to find art, as it is a marker of man’s presence. Thus, Nigeria, comprising almost 250 ethnical groups with their own languages and customs, of which the largest are Fulani/Hausa, Yoruba and Igbo, offers us a space to explore artistic and cultural diversity in its utmost richness, exotism and irresistible attraction to ‘roots’ culture. By the predictions of the United Nations, Nigeria will be one of the countries that will account for most of the world’s population increase by 2050, so Nigeria 50 is a project which offers you the opportunity to delve into the creative spirit and mentality of a quickly expanding and developing nation. Nigeria 50 is a cultural event, bringing the best of Nigerian culture – passionate, political, shocking and sexy – to fresh and eager audiences worldwide.

For the very first time the fruits of five decades of music, art, fashion, writing and style from Africa’s most exciting nation will be on tour together with twenty venues are already confirmed, in cities all across the UK and also in international locations as diverse as New York, Tokyo, Paris, Cape Town and of course Lagos, where it all began. Nigeria 50 is modelled on Fela Kuti’s super groups, Africa 70 and Egypt 80, that gave birth to the Afrobeat phenomenon, featuring performances and tributes by many of the greatest international legends in Afrobeat history. These will include Dele Sosismi, Tony Allen and Wunmi. This unique tour of superstars will be accompanied the smash hit exhibition of Nigerian album images – “Art’s Own Kind” by Lemi Ghariokwu.

For more information check out the Punch website !

Greetings to Lemi from Leicester

Check out this video from Art’s Own Kind in Leicester, where designer Mandeep Malhi greets Lemi Ghariokwu (LG) and shows him how the exhibition of his work turned out!

Art’s Own Kind now in Leicester!

The Art’s Own Kind exhibition has embarked on a tour of the UK and can be seen now in Leicester at The Peepul Centre. Click here to see more photos from the location.

Edge09 Panel Discussion on Afrobeat footage

So here is the Art’s Own Kind footage from the Panel discussion entitled Afrobeat: A Culture , with Lemi Ghariokwu, Tony Allen, Dele Sosimi, Wunmi and Rich Medina, moderated by Paul Bradshaw at Rich Mix. Enjoy!

Click here for part 2/8 and then scroll down for the rest of the videos.

Femi Kuti Live at the Afrika Shrine