Bisi Silva

thumb|Bisi Silva (cropped) Bisi Silva (29 May 1962 - 12 February 2019) was a Nigerian contemporary art curator. Quotes Very few have a long history of curating—and some might find it uncomfortable calling themselves a curator, even though that’s what they’ve done for years Questions of Practice: Bisi Silva on the Contemporary Curatorial Practice in Africa 20 May 2019 I believe that a successful practice can talk about the society from which it comes from, while also speaking to a wider audience The dependence on the North is suffocating and people fail to realize the truth of “if you build it, they will come Projecting our own voices is an important beginning Interview: In Conversation with Bisi Silva on J. D. ‘Okhai Ojeikere Crowd-funded Monograph 2013 What does the phrase “African photography” mean? We’re talking about a continent with fifty-five countries, ranging from Egypt to South Africa, Senegal to Tanzania, and so much more in between I am interested in thinking about photography on country-wide, regional, or even continental frames—but I am always sure to be careful with my phrasing. There’s a distinction to make between “West African Photography” and “Contemporary Photography from West Afric I’m not against the use of geographic terms but I’m highly conscious of how they are employed I think, to its benefit, photography has been accepted in the mainstream world of art Very little public/government attention has been given to photography As for artists, I don’t think it’s worth feeling overly anxious about terms and titles I believe people need to be given the choice, whether they want to go through a formal education or if they want to be autodidact I believe that education broadens your view and gives you more choice It’s important to separate a Western-centric view from the local understanding I believe there’s still a binary around “the West—and the rest.” There is still a hegemony of the discourse around “African Art” that resides within the West. Other voices get drowned out, but that doesn’t mean they don’t exist. These “other” voices are dynamic and important in their context, but remain largely overlooked elsewhere Today, street photography is becoming a little more gritty Ultimately, I think street photography has been and will continue to be intrinsic to the kind of outdoor culture that we find in many African cities. Promoting Global Dialogue: The Power of (Street) Photography on the African Continent n.d why do we have to be so bothered about the challenges of being received abroad? It is important that the State recognizes the critical role of arts and culture in the development of a country. There is a limit to what individuals can do on their own I worry about the obsession of Ugandan artists to reach out to the globalized art world A mentality that thinks West is best is not very progressive ‘But I wonder, why do we have to be so bothered about the challenges of being received abroad?’ – Q&A with curator Bisi Silva 10 June 2025 I believe that art mirrors the society from which it emanates as well as accommodating the life experiences of the individual artist I believe more opportunities need to be done with regards to art criticism in West Africa An Interview With Bisi Silva, Curator of Art Dubai's 'Marker' Project 17 March 2013 CCA has been a safe haven for artists who wanted to experiment. We were there to defend what they were doing. It wasn’t about whether it was good or not good, but defending that they have these ideas and they want to explore. I’m interested in documentation, in public education, and more research slowing down. It’s about sharing skills, knowledge, information, not only in the country, but across the continent. I see myself more as an initiator, somebody who sets things up and then hopefully can hand them over. My attitude is you take it, you do what you like. Conversation with Bisi Silva, Center for Contemporary Art Lagos External links Category:1962 births Category:2019 deaths Category:People from Lagos Category:People from London Category:Curators Category:Yoruba people Category:Deaths from disease