On 4–5 November 2024, MOWAA hosted Museum in the Making, a milestone event marking the preview of our first purpose-built facility, the MOWAA Institute—a world-class collections facility and a dynamic hub for archaeology, education, and museum practice. The two-day event welcomed over 250 guests to the MOWAA Campus in Benin City and featured a hard-hat opening of the Institute, along with creative workshops, talks, city tours, studio visits, and more.
Museum in the Making presented an opportune moment to engage in candid, reflective discussions on what it means to be a ‘West African’ museum, and how museum practices on the continent must evolve to address the realities of the 21st century. Over the course of two days, artists, cultural pioneers and thought leaders in various fields unpacked and posed poignant questions: What is the potential of art to trace forgotten historic connections across African societies? What role should arts institutions play in urban transformation and sustainable development? Do conventional Western distinctions between art, archaeology, and crafts constitute rigid boundaries within our society? How do we appeal to a predominantly young audience at home and to diasporic Black and African communities?
The event brought together MOWAA’s partners, friends, and neighbourhood together, bridging our local and global communities to mark the launch of our first annual programming season.
Museum in the Making gathered prominent figures in the fields of art, archaeology, and cultural heritage to explore pressing questions shaping the future of museums in West Africa.
This session explored how art institutions contribute to urban transformation and sustainable design. Led by Nzinga Biegueng Mboup (Worofila, Dakar, Senegal) and Olayinka Dosekun-Adjei (Studio Contra, Nigeria), two African women architects committed to sustainability and the integration of traditional artisans in the building process, the discussion explored the challenges of designing within an archaeologically sensitive location—prompting fresh perspectives on heritage management and architectural innovation.
This discussion examined the intersection of archaeology, nature conservation, and artistic practice as tools for challenging outdated narratives and showcasing Africa’s rich technological and cultural innovations.
Panellists Professor Shadreck Chirikure (Oxford University), Tunde Morakinyo (Africa Nature Investors), and Wale Lawal (The Republic) reflected on the power of reinterpreting history through contemporary lenses, moderated by MOWAA Institute Director Ore Disu.
Bringing together artists Cameron Ugbodu, Olukemi Lijadu and Etinosa Yvonne, this session unpacked the nuances of ‘career progression’, sustainability in art practise, and the responsibility to engage with history and legacy. Moderated by MOWAA’s Modern and Contemporary Curator Aindrea Emelife, the discussion emphasised the crucial role institutions play in safeguarding and shaping cultural narratives for future generations within an African context.
Watch the talks from Museum in the Making here.
Guests immersed themselves in guided tours of the Institute and MOWAA’s campus, participated in hands-on workshops on traditional pottery and rammed earth construction, and engaged in electrifying performances by local artists. These experiences underscored MOWAA’s dedication to connecting heritage with contemporary creativity.
This hands-on workshop explored the use of earth-based construction techniques across Africa, from adobe and rammed earth to laterite stone. Participants engaged with local artisans and architects to understand how indigenous knowledge can inform contemporary design and sustainable building practices.
This workshop focused on sustainable ceramic tile production, drawing inspiration from the historic potsherd pavements of Oyo, Ife, and Benin. Participants explored the technical and artistic processes behind making durable, weather resistant tiles. Through collaborative exercises, the session bridged historical craftsmanship with modern ecological concerns, promoting the revival of heritage techniques in contemporary design.
Our guided tours offered guests the opportunity to explore beyond the MOWAA Campus, experiencing cultural spaces and engaging with practitioners in Benin City. Participants had multiple options, including tours of the historic city, visits to the National Museum, an interactive walk through the archaeological excavation site on the MOWAA Campus, and visits to artist residency programs led by internationally acclaimed artists Victor Ehikhamenor and Enotie Ogbebor.
Museum in the Making was more than an event to mark the hard-hat opening of the MOWAA Institute. It was a dynamic space for knowledge exchange and critical dialogue, and for expounding on the themes and ideologies that shape MOWAA’s evolving practises.
Delve deeper into the questions and discussions from Museum in the Making with our video series, which expands on the discourse across various themes from advancing heritage management to energising contemporary art practises.
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Discover the partners and donors who have contributed to the development of MOWAA and the MOWAA Campus.
The MOWAA Campus is located in the historical heart of Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria.
The official address is 1 Sapele Road, Benin City, Edo, Nigeria.
Discover more about the events that will be taking place during the two-day proceeding.
Experience the two days of the hard hat preview through photos and video.
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