Nigerian artist Helen Nzete is featuring at the maiden edition of Africa Art Basel in Switzerland, a new platform of Art Basel, focused on contemporary African Art.
Africa Art Basel narrows down the mega fair which features nearly 300 exhibitors from across the globe, expanding its usual African gallery exhibitors from five to twenty.
The twenty galleries selected by a distinguished curatorial board including African Artists’ Foundation, Azu Nwagbogu, Art Basel’ Michèle Sandoz, Africa First’s Serge Tiroche and Zeitz Museum of Contemporary African Art (MOCAA’s) Greer Valley, work on thematic exhibitions, exhibitions highlighting emerging talents, artist talks and encounters that facilitate meaningful exchanges among artists, collectors and curators.
One of such galleries include the Sierra Leonan UNX-Art. Founded by Sarah Hachi-Duchêne, the digital-native platform for collectors spotlights emerging artists who challenge popular narratives, as well as curatorial and editorial works that explore the broader cultural context of contemporary African art.
As artists signed to the gallery, UNX-Art is showcasing Nzete’s artwork ‘Generosity of Spirit’ (2025) and Togolese artist, Clément Ayikoué Gbegno mixed media work, ‘Glimmer of Hope’ via the exhibition ‘Held In Memory, Forged In Form’ at the Africa Art Basel.
‘Generosity of Spirit’ is a key piece in Nzete’s recent and ongoing series ‘The Year of Knots’. The series comprising of plaster-rope reliefs speaks of the inherited traumatic ties that bind humans, and how the untying of these knots can bring about healing and renewed connection.
‘Generosity of Spirit’ boasts a constellation of faces, some inward, others reaching is cast in intimate relief. One gilded in gold leaf, rises as a guiding presence, evoking what is relayed not only through lineage but through care, conviction and lived experience.
Nzete’s choice of work at the exhibition is rooted in the universality of its themes of trauma and healing, and an opportunity to chart her global journey of advocacy through art.
In fact, the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria sculpture-trained artist, guest-starred in an artist exchange session’s where she discussed her art, materials, creative process, style and symbolisms. “I thoroughly enjoyed it and my audience,” she said.
Refuting the assumption that the physical distance between Nigeria and Switzerland and the costliness of transporting oneself and their works as a major obstacle to Nigerian artistes increased participation in Art Basel and the African Art Basel, Nzete said it’s a matter of solidarity and daring.
“Retro Africa gallery showed in Art Basel Hong Kong and in this inaugural Africa Art Basel. I know at least two other Nigerian artists were exhibited under different galleries. I think, Nigerian artists just have to be more supportive of ourselves and not shying away from participation at fairs.”
Already, she is confident of the fair’s impact on her art, “Africa Basel for me, is a powerful act of artistic resistance. It’s not just showcasing African art, it’s reclaiming narratives, challenging the systems that have historically excluded us, and offering a space where our creativity, politics and histories take center stage.
“I hope to grow my career, visibility, and audience as an advocating artist, and I know this is being achieved. The impact of my participation will be seen as I continue to push my career and voice further,” concluded Nzete.
Credit: Leadership
