An exhibition conceived by AfricaLab
Co-curated by James Lindon

OPENING RECEPTION: Thursday, 4 November 2010, 6–8 PM
DATES: 5 Nov. 2010 – 22 Jan. 2011
HOURS: Tuesday – Saturday 12–6 PM

Location One is proud to present SHARON STONE IN ABUJA an exhibition conceived by Zina Saro-Wiwa, British-Nigerian film-maker and founder of AfricaLab, an organisation dedicated to re-imagining Africa.

SHARON STONE IN ABUJA explores and re-imagines the powerful phenomenon that is “Nollywood”, Nigeria’s booming video film industry and the world’s third largest movie industry after Bollywood and Hollywood.

The SHARON STONE IN ABUJA exhibition pays homage to Nollywood’s narrative and visual conventions and explores the emotional landscape of Nigeria and Africa, navigating the space between the emotive and emotional. The show’s opening coincides with Nigeria’s 50th Anniversary of Independence – an opportune moment to reflect on this much-maligned African country in a fresh way.

Artists Wangechi Mutu, Mickalene Thomas and Andrew Esiebo will contribute brand new works and a selection of Pieter Hugo’s seminal “Nollywood” series will be shown. Zina will also contribute two new Nollywood-inspired short films, a video sculpture featuring Nollywood actresses and an installation created in collaboration with Mickalene Thomas.

SHARON STONE IN ABUJA is an AfricaLab project. Founded by Zina Saro-Wiwa, AfricaLab is an organisation dedicated to examining, re-imagining and expanding perceptions about African life and cultural expression through film and art. AfricaLab commissions new works and re-contextualises existing works to mine the African experience and create new propositions about the African condition. AfricaLab’s first film project was the documentary THIS IS MY AFRICA which was shown on HBO. SHARON STONE IN ABUJA is AfricaLab’s first contemporary art project.

Location One is extremely grateful to The New York State Council on the Arts, The New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, James Lindon, Wendy Fisher and the International Council at Location One for making this exhibition possible. Special thanks to Robert Devereux and The African Arts Trust.

Zina Saro-Wiwa is a film-maker, writer and founder of AfricaLab. Born in Nigeria to Ken and Maria Saro-Wiwa and brought up in the UK, she has worked at the BBC for much of her career. She now works primarily as a film-maker. Her most recent documentary film THIS IS MY AFRICA aired on HBO in February 2010. www.africalab.org