After a three-year renovation, CCA Lagos reopens with ‘Archives and Memories,’ a group exhibition. A watershed moment, this show is done in honour of the legacy of its late founder and pioneering curator, Bisi Silva who shaped contemporary African art through her visionary curatorial practice and critical discourse.
The exhibition which ushers in the new look of the cultural hub after its closure in 2022 marks a triumphant entry into 2025 after a three-year hiatus for extensive renovations. The reopening also coincides with the sixth anniversary of the passing of Bisi Silva, who founded the center and whose legacy continues to inspire the global art community.
The exhibition feature works by six distinguished Nigerian artists—Ndidi Dike, Ngozi-Omeje Ezema, Odun Orimolade, Taiye Idahor, Temitayo Ogunbiyi, and Wura-Natasha Ogunji—alongside selections from Silva’s curatorial archive.
Curated by Favour Ritaro, ‘Archives and Memories’ offers an emotional homage to Silva’s enduring influence on contemporary African art. Archives and Memories serves as both a celebration of Bisi Silva’s achievements and a reflection on the ways archives shape our understanding of the past and present.
A view of guests at the exhibition opening
Founded in 2007 by Silva, CCA Lagos quickly became a vital institution in the global art ecosystem. Known for its innovative programming and groundbreaking exhibitions, it carved out a space for artists, curators, and scholars to engage with contemporary art practices from Africa and the diaspora.
In 2022, a Sotheby’s benefit auction raised over $1 million to support the center’s rehabilitation. The funds have enabled a comprehensive transformation of the facility at 9 McEwen Street in Sabo, Yaba.
The artistic and executive director of CCA Lagos, Oyindamola Faithful revealed that the renovations are part of a three-phase plan aimed at strengthening the institution’s role as a cultural hub.
“Our goal is to open across three phases, with Phase 1 this February,” Oyinda Faithful. “These upgrades not only enhance the visitor experience but also allow us to deepen our engagement with the vibrant artistic networks around us, particularly the University of Lagos and Yaba College of Technology.”
For Oyinda Faithful and her team, the reopening is both a celebration of Silva’s legacy and a testament to the resilience of Nigeria’s art community.
This is a new chapter for us,” she said. “It’s about honouring the past while building a future that continues to inspire creativity and critical dialogue.”
Archives and Memories opened on February 12 and runs until May 31, 2025.
