First Korean Exhibition in Abuja, Nigeria... Sabina Museum's "Korea in Art"

First Korean Art Museum Exhibition Held in Nigeria
Eleven Artists Offer New Interpretations of Traditional Elements

Sabina Museum announced on May 14 that it will hold the first-ever exhibition by a Korean art museum in Abuja, Nigeria. Eleven participating artists will present 33 works across various media, including painting, sculpture, and installation, offering new interpretations of traditional cultural elements found in Hanbok.

Hanbok-related exhibition held in Abuja, Nigeria. Sabina Museum

This exhibition was organized in response to the growing interest in Hanbok, driven by the rising popularity of K-Culture.

The exhibition focuses on the creation of new cultural value through the results of the 11 artists’ exploration of traditional elements of Hanbok, such as materials, patterns, colors, designs, and forms. Each artist uses their unique visual language and style to reinterpret the symbolism and aesthetic beauty of traditional culture embodied in Hanbok through contemporary art.

This exhibition was planned by Sabina Museum, hosted by the Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange (KOFICE), and organized by the Korean Cultural Center in Nigeria. It is supported by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and held in cooperation with Nike Art Gallery.

Nike Art Gallery, the venue for the exhibition, is a leading cultural space in West Africa with locations in Abuja and Lagos. Through the traditional and contemporary interpretations of Hanbok, this exhibition is expected to play a significant role in promoting cultural exchange between Korea and Nigeria.

Approximately 100 people attended the opening ceremony, including Kim Pankyu, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Nigeria, ambassadors from Turkey, Argentina, and Portugal, members of the local diplomatic corps, Nike Okundaye, director of Nike Art Gallery, and figures from the local culture and arts community. Notably, the opening performance featured a fashion show of traditional attire from both Korea and Nigeria, celebrating the enhancement of cultural and artistic exchange between the two countries. The exhibition runs until May 31.