Sustaining., Culture through Art: Interrogating the Nwa-Aia Exhibition

Abstract

With a _Puts ()it an art exhibition, Nwa-Ala, conceptualized at the peak of the CO [71)-19 pandemic, this study delves into the multifaceted role of art in preserving and promoting local culture. As galleries and museums shut down _following lockdown protocols worldwide, creafives and artists explored digital options .for converging, planning, and birthing ideas. The Nwa-Ala exhibition is evidence of such •fb•ts by some young Nigerian artists, While the exhibition took place after- the lockdown to allow physical set-up, participation, and viewership, the efibrts of the artists deserve literary attention. Persistent themes in their works were also interrogated. The study employs the qualitative method of collecting and analyzing data. Specifically, it involved interviews with the artists and analyses of their works using thematic and narrative approaches. Grounded in the notion that art permeates all aspects of life, particularly evident in its theoretical view as a social practice, the research explores how art sows as a medium _for expressing oneself and one's
social space through art. Furthermore, the study is grounded in the cultural preservation theory, which posits that art and culture are inextricably linked. Drawing on the insights of the exhibiting artists, the study's findhigs underscore the importance of initiatives like Nwa-Ala in celebrating artistic traditions and promoting cultural exchange. Keywords: