Afrobeat Rebellion: Art meets activism in Lagos exhibition honouring Fela Kuti

The White Space Creative Foundation has unveiled the Fela Rebellion Exhibition in Lagos, showcasing the Afrobeat icon, Fela Kuti’s genealogy, lifestyle, legacy, and enduring influence.

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The Fela Rebellion exhibition, which debuted in Paris in 2022, was unveiled in Lagos on Sunday. It captures Fela’s life journey and iconic Kalakuta Republic in art, inscriptions, and pictorial form.

Afrobeat Rebellion.

The exhibition, which celebrates Fela’s life, family, music, and legacy, began on Sunday and will end on 28 December at Felabration Hall, Ecobank Pan African Centre, Lagos.

The 12 October evening featured live performances by Ezra Collective and Seun Kuti and unveiled the exhibition’s Legacy Programmes, including The Talks, Kalakuta Cinema, Studio Sessions, and Young Rebels’ Corner.

In the coming days, the exhibition will also include concerts, talks, children’s programmes, spoken word competitions, and training sessions to build creative capacity for the next generation.

Fela Exhibitions

The Fela exhibition is divided into ten sections, beginning with Fela’s early life and family history, then exploring ‘Lagos Baby,’ which highlights Lagos’ vital influence on his music and activism.

Another section focuses on the Afrobeat’s legend, daily life, and the creation of the Kalakuta Republic, which symbolised resistance and the vision of an activist.

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Speaking at the Fela Exhibition on Sunday, Papa Omotayo, the founder of the White Space Creative Foundation, explained the collaboration with Manuela Harang, the French cultural attaché, which birthed the exhibition of the music icon.

Mr Omotayo, an architect, reiterated Fela’s spirit of resistance as a force for change, highlighting the need to amplify his powerful voice and preserve his legacy for younger generations.

“There are many amazing cultural icons in Nigerian history that must be celebrated similarly. I hope this exhibition helps us understand how there are people in our history with powerful voices that we need to preserve and share with the next generation. I hope this happens to many more Nigerian icons and artists.

“I think the idea that there is always another way and the importance of resistance significantly impact Fela. If you feel something is happening that you do not like, you must resist, because resistance is a power to make change. And I think Fela represents the idea that your voice is powerful.

“Also, the Fela family has been very supportive, and it’s important that they tell their father’s story. I also discover something new every time I come because the exhibition is extensive and rich with history,” he said.

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Speaking further on Fela’s legacy, the creative artist stated that the exhibition preserves past histories and connects them with the next generations of arts and music.

“I think his impact is already there; if you ask any Nigerian musician, they’ll say Fela was the greatest. This exhibition allows the younger generation to understand his power and legacy.

“We also have a ‘Young Rebels’ programme and ‘Little Fela’ for kids to learn about him, his music, and Nigeria,” he said.

Fela Kuti

Fela was a legendary Nigerian musician and pioneer of Afrobeat, known for songs like ‘Zombie’, ‘Water No Get Enemy’, and ‘Sorrow, Tears and Blood’.

He used his music as a tool for activism, challenging political oppression and societal wrongdoings, and has been celebrated since he passed away in 1997.