This year’s edition promises an enriching experience for art and basketball enthusiasts alike, inviting them to witness the fusion of sport, art, and Nigerian cultural identity.
By Emmanuel ‘Waziri’ Okoro
NBA Nigeria hosted its third edition of NBA Meets Art at West Africa’s premier art fair, Art X Lagos, held at The Federal Palace in Lagos until Sunday, 3rd November. The curated edition celebrates the intersection of basketball, Nigerian art, and culture, showcasing the installations of Nigerian Pop artist and illustrator, Williams Chechet.
Titled Breaking Barriers, this year’s installation delves into basketball’s influence on shaping new identities and inspiring a sense of hope and ambition in Nigerian youth. Through vivid imagery, Chechet explores themes of teamwork, movement, strategy, and goal-setting, intertwining the sport’s energy with cultural symbols and activism to portray a message of limitless possibility.
At the heart of the installation are images of diverse hands reaching together to grasp a basketball, a powerful symbol of unity and collaboration.
Breaking Barriers is enhanced by augmented reality technology. Visitors can scan a QR code to see the artwork come to life on their mobile devices in animated form, which can then be shared on social media.
Additionally, attendees are invited to engage in the creation of an evolving collage by cutting and arranging colourful magazine and newspaper clippings, fostering a sense of community and artistic expression.
“NBA Meets Art continues to be a remarkable platform at the unique crossroads of basketball and African culture,” remarked Gbemisola Abudu, Vice President and Head of NBA Nigeria. “For this third edition, we are thrilled to deepen our engagement at Art X Lagos through Williams Chechet’s artwork. His inspiration stems from his basketball experiences in Zaria. As we celebrate the role of the game in building connections and breaking barriers, we hope to inspire the next generation of African youth to dream beyond limits”.
The “NBA Meets Art” initiative was launched in November 2022 and has since featured works that embody the spirit of teamwork and community-building. Last year’s installation by artist, Dennis Osadebe, titled Passing/Building/Victory, highlighted basketball’s potential to unite communities and reflected the NBA’s commitment to inspiring and connecting people worldwide.
This year’s edition promises an enriching experience for art and basketball enthusiasts alike, inviting them to witness the fusion of sport, art, and Nigerian cultural identity at Art X Lagos.