NOMA acquires Urban Kings II by Wole Lagunju, marking a key addition to its contemporary African art collection and curatorial mission.
BY ARTCENTRON NEWS STAFF
The New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA) has taken a major step toward institutional inclusivity and global curatorial advancement. It has acquired Urban Kings II by Nigerian artist Wole Lagunju. This acquisition highlights NOMA’s growing commitment to contemporary African art. It also strengthens the museum’s permanent collection by deepening its engagement with African and diasporic narratives.
Who Is Wole Lagunju?
Wole Lagunju, born in 1966 in Oshogbo, Nigeria, stands at the confluence of tradition and innovation. His practice interrogates and reimagines Yoruba visual heritage through the lens of contemporary aesthetics. Wole Lagunju’s style is distinctive and deeply layered. He creates a unique synthesis of Gelede mask iconography, a Yoruba ceremonial form that honors feminine power. He blends this traditional imagery with stylized Western female portraiture. His work spans a wide cultural spectrum—from early modern European art to mid-century American visual culture. Through this fusion, Lagunju critiques colonial narratives and confronts racial politics.
What Is Urban Kings II?
Urban Kings II is a striking painting that exemplifies this cross-cultural synthesis. The artwork breaks down conventional binaries of power and identity. Lagunju merges indigenous West African forms with motifs from Western aristocratic portraiture. The result is a visually arresting meditation on hybridity, sovereignty, and the visual codification of authority. Lagunju uses his canvas to ask urgent questions. He explores the legacy of imperialism, examines the construction of gender, and advocates for reclaiming cultural agency.
NOMA Acquires Urban Kings II by Wole Lagunju
Why NOMA Acquired Urban Kings II by Wole Lagunju
NOMA acquires Urban Kings II by Wole Lagunju as part of its strategic goal to diversify its collection and reflect a more inclusive global art history. Amanda Maples and Natasha Schlesinger played a key role in this acquisition. Their curatorial leadership ensured the integration of Urban Kings II into NOMA’s expanding collection of contemporary African art. In addition, the museum acknowledged the crucial support of philanthropist and collector Sue Hostetler Wrigley. Her dedication to diversifying institutional holdings made this acquisition possible.
This important addition was through the support of philanthropist Sue Hostetler Wrigley, whose advocacy for diversity in the arts helped realize the museum’s vision.
A Central Piece in the Afropolitan Exhibition
Urban Kings II is currently on display in NOMA’s groundbreaking exhibition, Afropolitan: Contemporary African Arts at NOMA. The exhibition positions Lagunju’s work within a broader curatorial framework that emphasizes artistic multiplicity and cultural dialogue. The exhibition features a compelling array of contemporary African artists. They include:
- Elias Sime (Ethiopia)
- Ablade Glover (Ghana)
- Serge Attukwei Clottey (Ghana)
- Malick Sidibé (Mali)
- Thameur Mejri (Tunisia)
- Paa Joe (Ghana)
Together, these artists present a compelling vision of Africa that is modern, multifaceted, and rooted in lived experience.
Decolonizing the Museum Space
By acquiring Urban Kings II by Wole Lagunju, NOMA expands its collection in meaningful ways. At the same time, it takes part in a broader institutional transformation. Both the exhibition and the acquisition advance a more inclusive global art dialogue. They challenge colonial legacies and uplift cultural agency. Afropolitan offers more than visual engagement—it advocates for a participatory form of decolonization. By elevating voices historically marginalized within global art discourses, NOMA fosters a space for critical reflection, scholarly inquiry, and cultural affirmation. It invites viewers not only to observe but to question, to connect, and to reconsider inherited narratives.
Visit the Afropolitan Art Exhibition
The Afropolitan exhibition is open to the public through the end of 2025. Visitors can view Urban Kings II alongside other major works that are redefining how audiences perceive African art. These pieces help reshape its place within major art institutions. The exhibition serves as a powerful testament to the evolving role of museums. It also demonstrates the transformative impact of contemporary African art in the 21st century.
The fact that NOMA acquires Urban Kings II by Wole Lagunju speaks volumes about where the art world is headed. It reflects a broader shift toward recognizing African voices and narratives that have long been underrepresented. This acquisition isn’t just about adding a painting to a collection—it’s about rewriting the global art story, with African artists at the forefront.
- Featured Image: Detail of Urban Kings II Wole Lagunju. Image courtesy of Wole Languju
NOMA acquires Urban Kings II by Wole Lagunju to boost its collection of contemporary African art. What do you think?
