The Idea Behind, Safe Spaces — Angel Akua
“The Idea Behind” is an AWCA series where we chat with artists, curators, producers, and brands in our community. We explore “The Idea Behind” any of their ongoing or past endeavors — art and works alike.
Today, we spoke with Angel Akua about her exhibition “Safe Spaces.”
Abigail: Hi Angel Akua, I’m glad we’re finally doing this. Let’s jump right into it, okay?
What initially drew you to the field of curation, and what defines your curatorial philosophy?
Angel Akua: Well, while it may not seem like it, I stumbled into curating. Since secondary school, I’ve been drawn to storytelling, whether through writing or photography.
However, I never fancied being front and center; I craved a way to express myself in my tiny little space. It wasn’t until my internship at the African Artists’ Foundation/LagosPhoto festival in 2019 where I was a social media intern and did a lot of project management that I discovered curating. It resonated with me instantly — the ability to weave narratives without being the center of attention. While I haven’t had extensive experience in curating, asides the one time I worked closely with Photographer and curator, Ugochukwu Emebiriodo when he curated The 3rd edition of The Maker Lab: Ije. But. I absorbed everything I could. In essence, what attracted me to curating was the freedom it offered; the opportunity to tell stories without the spotlight.
My curatorial philosophy is deeply rooted in people. I’m captivated by human connections and the essence of humanity itself. My practice revolves around fostering connections — between individuals, with their inner selves, and with the world around them. I’m driven by the emotional and intellectual impact of the works I curate, striving to evoke profound feelings and thoughts. My focus lies in exploring the contemporary human experience within the context of time and space.
Abigail: What was the initial spark of inspiration that led to Safe Spaces, and what specific theme were you hoping to convey?
Angel Akua: The initial spark of inspiration for “Safe Spaces” came from my deep-rooted focus on people and my desire to create something immersive especially as someone that had spent a lot of time in the heavily commercially-driven Lagos art scene. I wanted to carve out a sanctuary, not just for others, but also for myself amidst the uncertainties of embarking on an uncertain journey without a guide or template. (It was my first independent curating)
“Safe Spaces” sought to construct a serene, nurturing environment where everyone felt embraced and secure. It was about fostering authenticity, vulnerability, and truth without inhibition. Through the exhibition, I wanted to dismantle barriers and encourage unfiltered expression, providing participants with the freedom to shed their masks and reveal their true selves. By immersing themselves in the environment, both creators and audiences emerged with a newfound sense of strength, self-worth, and inner peace. And that’s why a section of the exhibition was called “Museum of Safe Spaces” where I had asked for people to share sentimental items that represented their safe space, someone sent her plant, another person sent pain killers, paintings, a lot of interesting things.
Another amazing section was a secrets board, so, we had asked people to send in their secrets anonymously which we printed and put on the wall. It was really cool. The overarching theme of “Safe Spaces” was to cultivate a lasting impact, leaving individuals empowered and enriched by the profound connections forged within this sanctuary of authenticity and i think it worked.
Abigail: Walk us through a key challenge you faced while curating this project, and how you used it to shape the final exhibition layout and storytelling?
Angel Akua: One major challenge I had was the fact that it was my first independent curating and while I knew a lot I also didn’t know a lot and I had to do a whole of things including installing the artworks with little or no help. However, rather than allowing these challenges derail the project, I embraced them as opportunities to learn, did research and sought inspiration from diverse sources (slept and woke up on pinterest), drawing upon my own intuition and insights gleaned from past experiences.
I had also had space constraint as we used small rooms but instead of stressing over it, i saw it as an avenue to create an intimate experience.
Abigail: What kind of audience did you hope to reach with this project, and how do you see exhibitions playing a role in connecting with the public today?
Angel Akua: With “Safe Spaces,” my aim was to reach a broad audience encompassing everyone, irrespective of background or identity. I wanted to create a sanctuary where individuals from all walks of life could find solace, authenticity, and connection.
Today, exhibitions play a crucial role in connecting with the public by offering immersive, hands-on experiences that go beyond digital interactions. In a screen-dominated world, physical exhibitions provide unique opportunities for direct interaction with art and concepts, encouraging conversations, and understanding among diverse audiences. By presenting artwork and stories from different cultures and viewpoints, exhibitions establish communal spaces where people can come together, reflect, and address societal issues in real time. They encourage visitors to slow down, think, and engage, creating a shared experience that enhances comprehension and connections within the community.
Abigail: Thank you, Angel Akua. It was a pleasure sitting and chatting.
