A Curatorial Vision Stoking a City’s Artistic Revival

Okechukwu Uwaezuoke

t all began with a question, Primrose Ochuba-Adekemi assures her interlocutor. And this question—a centuries-old quandary that continues to elicit intense curiosity and debate among art lovers and philosophers—is this: How does art capture the essence of a moment in time? It is one that, swirling around her fascination with art—a fascination fanned into a curatorial flame courtesy of fate—soon sparked her curiosity. Then this curiosity got the better of her, and she took the plunge into art history, emerging with a treasure trove of information on Nigerian artistic practices.

This University of Port Harcourt lecturer has, meanwhile, had a ringside seat to the lively conversation between tradition and innovation in the region’s thriving art scene. A peek into her odyssey reveals that it has been a wild ride, full of twists, turns, and “aha!” moments that continue to inspire her work as an art historian and curator. As she readily admits, she’s still hooked on that original question—proof that some mysteries are worth pursuing for a lifetime!

Talking about art, it has a magical way of bridging gaps—between generations, communities, and ideas. And Nigeria’s rich artistic heritage is no exception. Ochuba-Adekemi, a dynamic art historian and curator at Delaroke Art Gallery in Port Harcourt, who also holds a 2015 Masters in Fine and Applied Art (MFA) degree in textile design from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, has made it her mission to connect the dots between Nigeria’s cultural past and the fresh voices of today.

Then, there is Port Harcourt’s art ecosystem, which has undergone a stunning transformation in recent years. Beyond the iconic institutions like the University of Port Harcourt’s Fine Arts department and Ignatius Ajuru University, new spaces have emerged that are reshaping the city’s cultural landscape. Ochuba-Adekemi notes that these developments have brought a fresh wave of energy to the art scene. The city now boasts a network of independent galleries, artist-run spaces, and cultural centres that reflect its growing artistic vitality. Art lovers and collectors are taking notice, and new artists are emerging.

At Delaroke Art Gallery, Primrose Ochuba-Adekemi had the privilege of witnessing and contributing to Port Harcourt’s cultural renaissance. As the mastermind behind the gallery’s meteoric rise, she spearheaded the city’s cultural revival with her exceptional curatorial skills.

A significant number of exhibitions have, as milestones, been the hallmarks of her curatorial journey and contributed to Port Harcourt’s artistic dialogue.

First, there was Nwa Ala (2022), an exhibition that brought together 10 emerging artists from the Nsukka Art School. They tackled environmental justice and cultural preservation with ease, attracting a huge crowd and sparking meaningful conversations.

Fast-forward to Engraved (2024), a group show featuring Betiang Amadeus and Onyekachi Precious. This exhibition delved into Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage, exploring boyhood vulnerability and the freedom to feel.

Still in 2024, Ochuba-Adekemi curated four more exhibitions showcasing Nigerian art. Treasures Within featured Woko Aguru’s innovative works, transforming discarded materials into stunning pieces that challenged notions of waste and beauty. A Thin Line united five visionary painters from Port Harcourt and Abuja, revealing universal threads that weave through shared human experiences. Ideas, a solo exhibition by Chijioke Onyeador, resurrected forgotten mythologies with contemporary resonance. Lastly, Artivation—Experience presented a compelling display of works capturing the universal pulse of human existence through Nigerian creativity. It was a fitting finale to a whirlwind year of art, culture, and magic.

Zoom in on Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital city, where tradition and industry are blending in a vibrant art scene. The presence of major oil companies has created an intriguing dynamic, where corporate patronage meets cultural preservation. This exciting nuptial has given birth to innovative partnerships and funding opportunities for local artists and institutions. “At Delaroke Art Gallery, my curatorial approach is all about sparking conversations between different artistic traditions and contemporary practices,” Ochuba-Adekemi reveals.

Her gallery’s programming strategy is a vibrant reflection of this approach, featuring regular exhibitions, educational workshops, artist talks, and collaborations with other cultural institutions across Nigeria. Ochuba-Adekemi is convinced that Port Harcourt is on the cusp of becoming a major cultural hub. To propel this vision forward, she’s committed to establishing international partnerships, developing a comprehensive digital archive of Niger Delta art, creating mentorship programs for emerging curators, and expanding the gallery’s exhibition programming to include more experimental and multimedia works.

The future of Port Harcourt’s art scene obviously depends on the continued engagement of all sectors of society. Hence, through her tireless work at Delaroke Art Gallery and beyond, Ochuba-Adekemi aims to contribute to the growing recognition of Nigeria’s artistic achievements, ensuring that oil-rich city’s unique voice continues to resonate in the national and international art world