Copyright © KC Nwakalor. All rights reserved.

Benin Bronzes (2022)

Captures the Benin bronze market, historic theft, restitution and potential repatriation.

Photographs by KC Nwakalor

Stories by Josh Spero, Aanu Adeoye & Liza Fabian

Location: Benin, Nigeria

Clients: The Financial Times & Le Monde 

Link: https://www.ft.com/content/1b32105e-428a-49e8-b2f2-d3ba381c4c65

https://www.lemonde.fr/afrique/article/2022/12/02/au-nigeria-benin-city-retrouve-ses-tresors-spolies-et-se-reve-en-capitale-culturelle-d-afrique-de-l-ouest_6152733_3212.html

A collection of sculptures stored within the Aigbe Foundry at Igun Street, Benin, Nigeria on Tuesday 27, September 2022. Aigbe Foundry is owned and run by Monday Aigbe. The foundry is a family business and it is a popular place for bronze castings amongs
Entrance of Igun Street, an area known for production and sales of bronzes and other artworks in Benin City, Edo, Nigeria on Monday 31 October 2022. Photo by KC Nwakalor for Financial Times.
Guests being given a tour of The National Museum Benin City, Edo, Nigeria on Monday 31 October 2022. Photo by KC Nwakalor for Financial Times.
Aiko Obobaifo, 65, an Art Historian poses for a portrait outside National Museum Benin city, Edo, Nigeria on Monday 31 October 2022. Photo by KC Nwakalor for Financial Times.
A scultpure installation in front a parliament building just outside of the National Museum Benin, Nigeria on Monday 26, September 2022. National Museum Benin was built in 1960 and the gallery was built in 1973. There are continued talks to return numero
A sales staff arranges an art work at her stall in Igun street, Benin city, Edo, Nigeria on Monday 31 October 2022. Photo by KC Nwakalor for Financial Times
A woman walks by art shops at Igun street, Benin city, Edo, Nigeria on Monday 31 October 2022. Photo by KC Nwakalor for Financial Times
Portrait of Enotie Ogbebor, 52, Creative Director/ Founder of Edo Global Art Foundation, Benin, Nigeria on Tuesday 27, September 2022. Edo Global Art Foundation fosters young artists within the state by providing mentoring, studio spaces, training, exhib
Artisans work at Aigbe Foundry at Igun Street, Benin, Nigeria on Tuesday 27, September 2022. Aigbe Foundry is owned and run by Monday Aigbe. The foundry is a family business and it is a popular place for bronze castings amongst sculptors in Benin city, N
Portrait of Osaru Obaseki, 29, an Artist, at her studio space at Edo Global Art Foundation, Benin, Nigeria on Tuesday 27, September 2022. Edo Global Art Foundation fosters young artists within the state by providing mentoring, studio spaces, training, ex
Portrait of Kelly Omodamwen, 29, Sculptor, at his studio space at Edo Global Art Foundation, Benin, Nigeria on Tuesday 27, September 2022. Edo Global Art Foundation fosters young artists within the state by providing mentoring, studio spaces, training, e
Nworie Collins Odinaka, 25, Intern, works on a sculpture in front of Kelly Omodamwen’s studio space at Edo Global Art Foundation, Benin, Nigeria on Tuesday 27, September 2022. Edo Global Art Foundation fosters young artists within the state by providing
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