Mboho Exhibition takes arts, entertainment, music and fashion to London for Black History Month!
The 02 Centre in London is set to host the MBOHO exhibition, an annual festival of African arts, from October 10 to October 31, 2024, in honour of Black History Month.
This year’s event will feature presentations from across the African continent and the diaspora. It will explore Art, Music, and Fashion in Rich African forms giving a platform for creatives to express their imagination while honouring their African heritage and traditions. The exhibition will kick off with an opening night at Bo Concept London.
The event would include an art display with a mesmerizing collection of paintings, elaborate body art, masks, sculpture, and more for attendees to explore.
Meet The Exhibitors
MINIKA
A visual artist and expressionist, Minika grew up surrounded by nature and its many elements. Driven by passion and innovation, her artistic and cultural upbringing inspires her work and are heavy influences on her creative expressions. Growing up amidst the vibrant and flamboyant cultural tapestry of Calabar significantly molded her outlook and left a lasting influence. She started exploring art from an early
age and fell in love with that form of expression.
Discovering more about art drew her into the beauty industry where she rose to become one of Nigeria’s top makeup artists, her style of make-up ranging from soft to expressive looks. Minika is constantly exploring life’s journey and sharing it through various media. She considers the human body as one of her canvases to share these stories. Her art is bold, colorful and reflective of her rich African heritage.
HAKEEM SALAAM
One of the most imaginative minds working the camera in Nigeria today, Hakeem Salaam began making images in his mind as a child, and started capturing them in 1989 when he bought his first camera, a Pentax point- and-shoot Obscura. The fascination with still images grew, but he remained in his dark room making private photographs until 2001, when he began shooting real people with a Pentax SLR. Hakeem, a widely published photographer who is interested in documentary, travel and landscape, portrait and fashion photography, is the recipient of the Fashion Photographer of The Year Award.
His most recent work was at 2019 Ake Festival held at the Mike Adenuga Center, Ikoyi, Lagos. Hakeem is widely travelled and has been involved in various photography projects chief of which are: Coffee Table Book on Abuja, Vitiligo Portraits, Beautiful Nigeria (ongoing), Foreigners on Long Street, Cape Town, South Africa. He is a Canon Influencer and trainer.
MMAKAMBA
is a Nigerian fashion brand founded by Patricia Nsan, who is known for her innovative approach to fashion and philanthropy. The brand specializes in high-quality womenswear that caters to modern, elegant women, combining African-inspired designs with contemporary
fashion. Patricia Nsan, a graduate of Fine and Applied Arts from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, has gained recognition for her unique designs and her contributions to youth empowerment through the Mmakamba Empowerment
Foundation. In addition to her fashion work, Patricia has been involved in mentorship programs across Africa and has won several
awards, including Global African Designer of the Year in 2023. Her collections have been featured at major fashion events, such as Africa Fashion Week Nigeria. Mmakamba’s impact extends beyond fashion, as it also emphasizes skill acquisition and empowerment initiatives,
helping to develop talent across the continent.
NYNY RYKE
is not only a fashion brand, but also a combination of words which means” Only sweetness”, “Cuteness” or” So good” in Togolese dialect “Kabyé” (West Africa). Nyny Ryke is an Ethical Fashion brand officially founded in 2014 initially as a “niche brand” and “made-to-measure”. Between 2020 and 2021, her passion become officially a business, building around the brand a team of skilled artisans and fostering collaborations that span across continents demonstrates a commitment to quality craftsmanship and a global perspective.
By embracing diverse techniques and collaborating with artisans from different backgrounds, the brand can offer unique and innovative products that resonate with customers worldwide. This approach not only enriches the brand’s offerings but also creates opportunities for cultural exchange and mutual learning among artisans.
FASHIONANDCOECO (FCo ECO)
By lifestyle media brand FashionandCo.ng is a sustainable fashion project collaborating with local artisans to create timeless pieces.
The fashion brand works with a lot of redesigned deconstructed Aso-Oke, tie & dye and Batik designs on breathable fabrics. FCo ECO was birthed out of the need to create more responsible fashion options for consumers. Also, to create
slow and conscious fashion pieces. FCo ECO will continue to collaborate with local artisans and designers using environmentally friendly fabrics and production techniques.
By partnering with local artisans and designers, FCo ECO hopes to preserve traditional craftsmanship while pushing forward a new narrative of fashion that values sustainability, culture, and innovation. This initiative is not just about
fashion—it’s about making a positive impact on communities, supporting artisanal skills, and fostering a more conscious and responsible future for the fashion industry.
CUTE-SAINT
Muftau Femi Ajose is a visionary fashion designer and the creative force behind Cute-Saint, a
contemporary brand that redefines modern elegance. As the Creative Director, he brings a unique blend of bold innovation and timeless style, crafting pieces that effortlessly merge artistry with functionality. With a rich background in fashion styling, Muftau has honed his expertise working with diverse clients, curating looks that exude confidence and style. His experience spans runway shows, editorial shoots, and personal styling for high-profile figures. This extensive experience in fashion styling gives him a deep understanding of how to create visually impactful designs that not only turn heads but also tell a story.
Femi has showcased his collections at prestigious fashion weeks from Lagos to Paris and London, solidifying his presence on the international stage. Recently, his work caught the attention of The New York Times, further cementing his influence in the global fashion industry.
CHRISTINE MIKE-NNAJI
is a gifted artist living with Autism Spectrum Disorder, whose artistic journey began during the global Covid-19 pandemic in 2021. Since discovering her passion for painting, Christine’s vibrant and expressive works have captured the attention of international audiences, earning her features on prestigious platforms like BBC and Reuters three times. Her remarkable story of resilience and creativity has inspired many families, particularly those raising children and young adults on the autism spectrum.
Christine’s art and personal journey not only highlight her unique talents but also serve as a powerful catalyst for promoting inclusion, acceptance, and understanding of neurodiversity. She has become a symbol of hope, showing how artistic expression can break barriers and empower individuals to embrace their authentic selves.
ENEYI
Victoria Ene Scribner, CEO of Eneyi Clothings, is a resilient and inspiring entrepreneur born in Sokoto State and hailing from Benue State, Nigeria. With a passion for singing, exploring markets, and traveling, Victoria’s journey is a testament to her adventurous spirit, determination and creativity.
From humble beginnings as a sales girl, Victoria’s curiosity and drive led her to discover her interest in marketing. Defying age stereotypes and embracing her unique perspective as an ‘old lady in a young girl’s world’, she boldly ventured into creating clothing for women of all ages.
Through Eneyi Clothings, Victoria aims to craft memorable experiences for her clients, both old and young. Her goal is to make a lasting impact on their lives through high-quality, stylish designs that exudes confidence and beauty. With her entrepreneurial prowess and dedication to empowering women, Victoria is making a difference in the fashion industry and beyond.
CLEMZY ART
Lagos-based visual artist Clement Ofana, widely known as Clemzyart, has spent years perfecting his craft in charcoal pencil portrait drawings. Initially recognized for his talent with ballpoint pen art, Clement has now mastered the ability to seamlessly blend
charcoal pencil and ballpoint pen to create striking portraits that convey profound narratives. His newfound expertise in combining these two mediums, along with the incorporation of subtle artistic tools, has elevated his portraiture to new heights of visual expression. This innovative approach has garnered him recognition not only among his peers but also from art lovers and
enthusiasts around the world. Clement’s innovative approach to portrait art has earned him a growing reputation, one which he intends to explore and expand as he explores his art.
TIJANI CHARLES
is a multidisciplinary creative blending graphic design, web development, photography, and artistic expression into a cohesive body of work. With over 14 years of freelance experience, he crafts visually compelling pieces that reflect his unique perspective. Influenced by his parents’
work in design, construction, music, and communication, Tijani found his passion for creativity early on and has since evolved through formal training and life experiences. Driven to bring his own ideas to life, he transitioned into a professional art career, a journey that
continues today.
Tijani is eager to take on new projects, exploring deeper topics across his expertise, including photography, web design, graphic design, and drawing. Through his work, he aims to highlight clarity in art, design, geometry, and nature, inviting those who share his vision to join him on this creative journey.