Nigerian London-based artist, Azubuike Ani, is a self-taught artist whose afro futurist art works explore organic landscapes and the wild life of the African continent alongside a timeless strand of artworks peopled by surrealist figures.
Azubuike’s work possesses a smooth tonality that creates its own unique dialogue exposing his inner consciousness to viewers. His work has been featured in exhibitions globally, including France, USA and Nigeria, and this Spring he holds his 1st London show ‘Our Sacred World’ at the Muswell Hill Art Gallery from this Thursday May 12th-18th 2022.
“Creativity was all around us. We used to draw on the ground and we made tin cars from old tin cans of evaporated milk, which were bought over by the British. We made kites out of old newspapers and our natural creativity thrived”.
Celebrating his debut exhibition in his adopted home town Azubuike Ani explores the joys of spring in the city alongside curator and gallery head, Georgia Robinson.
AZUBUIKE ANI
1. Connectivity
For a busy city like London, its brilliant that there’s so many different types of transportation available to get you around it. Lagos is nowhere close to London in terms of getting around.
2. Cycling
So far the government has been trying to make London a bike friendly place and I really enjoy cycling along Lea Valley with my children.
3. Compassion & Charity
In the City of London you will never go hungry. Don’t forget how many people still go to food banks for free food just to get through their daily lives.
4.Culture & Education
One the most things beautiful things about London is the abundant wealth of information on offer in galleries, libraries, museums etc. On one of my visits to one I discovered that Nigeria had over 200 languages!
5. Great Parks
For a major global city London has many great parks. I especially enjoy visiting all the different parks and my favourites are Regents Park and Hyde Park where you can often find me and my family enjoy the nature and surroundings and a picnic if the weather’s fine.
GEORGIA ROBINSON
Former CAS Arts Fine Arts graduate, Georgia Robinson, launched Muswell Hill Gallery to provide a new space for up and coming and local artists to show their work. Its monthly exhibitions have attracted a wide range of art disciplines from fine art, watercolours, pastels, collages and soft sculptures with artists featured so far including Alan Braidwood, Sedici Art Group, Maggie Learmonth, Neda Dana Haeri, Gillian Raine, Carol Tarn, Arty Bea, Colin Merrin, Georgia Robinson and Gvenire.
As well as the monthly exhibitions, there is a permanent display of small prints and cards available to buy at sister company, Come Swap & Shop.
1. Alexandra Palace
One of my favourite things to do in the Spring is walk up and around Ally Pally as it’s affectionately known. The blossoms and wild flowers are out and there’s a great garden centre with a cafe tucked away near the top. which affords you some breath-taking views of London once you get there. One of London’s most beautiful sites and there’s always lots of events and activities you can get involved in.
2. Thrift Shopping in Crouch End
One of London’s most vibrant shopping areas for pre-loved clothes, books, and all kinds of interesting things from art to bicycles and much more in their many many charity shops. I am a constant browser that can always be lured in with a good window display. There’s always a good church yard sale with great bargains to be had too.
3. A Walk Along The South Bank
Walking beside the River Thames along the South Bank is a great way to experience the vibrant arts and culture and there’s so much to see and do. I like to stop by the book stalls in front of the BFI and then head inside for drinks before heading over to the Oxo gallery. They always have interesting exhibitions, and of course there’s some great exhibitions on at Tate Modern (Lubaina Himid is a must) and the Hayward Gallery.
4. Picnic in Hyde Park
There’s nothing better than chilling in the sun on a deck chair in Hyde Park having a chat with old friends and sharing a spread before going for a walk to the Serpentine Gallery to end the day.
5. Window Shopping In Shoe Heaven at Harrods
I like to do this after a pedicure and adore trying on some beautiful shoes I can’t afford…it feels like heaven lol :-) End the day at the Champagne Bar, having a blini and crème brûlée.
Nigerian London-based artist, Azubuike Ani’s debut show ‘Our Sacred World’, which collects together his latest afro futurism inspired artworks and wild life realism opens in exhibition at the Muswell Hill Gallery, 21 High Street, Hornsey, London, N8 7QB on Thursday May 12th and runs until Wednesday 18th 2022. Curated by Georgia Robinson.
Instagram: @muswellhillgallery @azubuike_ani