Metaphysical Movement

Nigeria’s foremost veteran contemporary artist, Jelili Atiku was born in 1968 in Ejigbo (Lagos), Nigeria. He received his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria, and a Master of Visual Arts from the University of Lagos, Nigeria. After training as a sculptor, Atiku has been working globally in performance art, beginning in the late 2000s, with installations now forming part of his artistic language. His major performance series, In the Red, focusing on wars and their aftermath, has been performed in several cities, including Tokyo, Copenhagen, Harare, and London. He was invited to perform at the 2017 and 2019 Venice Biennales and at institutions such as CCA Lagos, London’s Tate Modern, and Palermo’s Manifesta 12, where he led a processional performance addressing themes of migration, the destruction of the environment, and Yoruba myths and legends. Atiku has received a variety of awards and grants, including the Netherlands government’s 2015 Prince Claus Award. In 2021, he was included in Phaidon’s survey African Artists: From 1882 to Now. Part of this interview was recorded on September 4, 2022, when Atiku had just completed his performance ỌLỌ́MỌYỌYỌ, at the 2022 Aarhus Festival in Denmark, while other parts were conducted over email.