My World: Annabelle Nwankwo – Mu'azu

For long, we've lived with preconceived notions about Africa. We often hear about the terrible atrocities, corruption and poverty but nothing positive. It's time we changed those notions, for that's not what Africa is all about. There is a real movement among creative people and others of my generation who do not want to be associated with such negative perceptions. This does not mean that we want to ignore them; we do what we can in our own way to address the problem.

Through my art exhibitions, I want people to see Africa for what it is. I want them to hear the voices of its artists, and I want the artists to be seen for who they are. It is about their messages and their heritage. You should be able to walk into an art gallery and not necessarily feel as if you are in an African exhibition with masks and the obvious artefacts that one would associate with the continent. I am lucky because most of the artists I work with feel the same way. They appreciate where they are from but it is really about the messages they want to put across through their work.

I think I am a frustrated artist. I've always wished I could paint but realised I am not made for it so I aligned myself with artists and became a curator. I have been in the art world for 15 years now. As a child and teenager, I loved all genres of art - fashion, photography and the visual arts. Coming from a culturally aware family, my parents always took us to museums, exhibitions and art galleries, particularly those that showcased the diverse cultural heritage of Africa. So I think art is something that was in my blood intrinsically. I was born in 1970 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, but when my late father, a journalist, was offered the opportunity to head Africa Magazine, a leading political magazine, we moved to London. I was brought up in the UK and had never lived in my homeland, Nigeria, until I got married.

I first visited Dubai when I was invited for Art Dubai two years ago. I was blown away by what I saw. It is probably one of the most multicultural places I've ever seen. One thing that struck a chord in me at Art Dubai 2008 was that only one gallery had two pieces by African artists!

As It Is! seeks to rectify that as it exemplifies compelling revelations of the artists of African heritage. This four-part series, celebrating the creative vigour of more than 20 astounding artists from the continent and its diverse diaspora, is an alternative and uplifting view of Africa. It further communicates an increasing desire within the continent's artistic community to ‘free' the artist of stereotypes. For the audience in Dubai and the rest of the UAE, I hope it will be an illuminating window into the artistic soul of Africa and an unparalleled opportunity to soak in and participate in amazingly passionate personal histories.

It is quite poignant that the exhibition opened in December 2010 - a monumental time in world history as 17 African nations celebrated 50 years of independence from colonial rule last year. We are honoured to have Professor Wole Soyinka, Africa's first Nobel Laureate in literature as patron of the project and it speaks volumes about the importance of such an endeavour.

I always go by gut instinct - that's how I work. For me, it's always been about art. I feel that I have been guided to be the vehicle to bring out African art, to a bigger, wider audience. As a curator, it is all about putting together a project of substance that gives the artists an opportunity to be represented the way they wish to be.

As It Is! is by far the biggest work I have ever done. At my first major exhibition in London in 2000 titled Accident & Design, Gani Odutokun and his Influence, I brought over 12 major artists from Nigeria to showcase the work of an influential artist who had just died.

Quick questions

Where does your interest in African art come from?

My interest in African art perhaps stems from my roots - the fact that I am a Nigerian. There is something about the creativity that's coming out of the continent that pulls me towards it.

Who inspires you?

My main source of inspiration is my daughter, A'isha, who is just ten. For someone so young, she is so wise and she is the reason why I do what I do.

Do you have any dreams?

I dream of one day being able to open my own space here in Dubai. I think the connections between Africa and this region need to be reopened.

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