Showbiz
Nigerian-born Ayobola Kekere-Ekun Shines at 2021 Absa L’Atelier
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
Nigerian-born Ayobola Kekere-Ekun has been selected as one of the winners of the prestigious 2021 Absa L’Atelier at an online event hosted on the Absa Art Hotspot.
The artist was among the finalists from Mozambique, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia, Mauritius, Seychelles, Tanzania, Botswana, Ghana, Kenya and Namibia.
She is among the one ambassador per group chosen from the three groups of African countries. The others are Adelheid von Maltitz from South Africa and Blebo Michael Jackson from Ghana, while the winner Absa L’Atelier Gerard Sekoto category was Abongile Sidzumo.
Absa, in partnership with the South African National Association for the Visual Arts (SANAVA), hosts the event to celebrate African art.
These winning artists now take on the title of Absa L’Atelier Ambassador 2021 received trophies that depict hands, symbolising the physical manifestation of creation, designed, and produced by established South African artist Roberto Vacarro, while the Gerard Sekoto trophy depicts a bull, representing prosperity and resilience.
Since its inception 35 years ago, Absa L’Atelier has showcased and continues to invest in some of Africa’s finest young artists between the ages of 21 to 40.
This year, the competition established itself as the first African art competition to be hosted completely virtually; from entry, submission and adjudication of the artworks, to hosting a series of masterclasses and a mentorship programme for the 2019 Absa L’Atelier ambassadors, culminating in the online awards ceremony.
Entries were received from across Africa and judged by an independent panel of adjudicators including acclaimed artist and Director at BKhz, Banele Khoza as well as Armelle Dakouo, independent curator and artistic director at AKAA Art & Design Fair.
Criteria for selecting the Ambassador included technical execution, conceptual and thematic engagement, the freshness of artistic vision within the context of the contemporary African art landscape; as well as aesthetic appeal.
Established 17 years ago, the Gerard Sekoto award goes to a South African artist, aged between 25 and 35 years, who has continued to demonstrate integrity in the quality of their artwork.
The award is made possible by the Embassy of France in South Africa, the French Institute of South Africa (IFAS), which is the cultural arm of the Embassy, and the Alliance Française network in South Africa.
“With our partners Absa and SANAVA, we are proud to support the Gerard Sekoto award and to accompany young artists to share their work both nationally and internationally.
“We believe in this award which grants a talented young South African artist an amazing opportunity: to expand his or her horizons with a 3-month artistic residency at the Cité Internationale des Arts in Paris, and, of course, gain greater exposure as a result.
“The artists are inspired and inspire. They learn, and they teach. They explore, and exhibit, allowing people in France and in South Africa to learn more about their individual style and vision”, says Aurelien Lechevallier, who is France’s Ambassador to South Africa.
Though COVID-19 provided its challenges, the past two years were likewise a period of innovation and technological progression.
“The pandemic has allowed us to advance our digital art presence with the launch of the Absa Art Hotspot. This unique virtual experience platform made it possible for us to host live events such as webinars, art exhibitions, art masterclasses, and art auctions, while certain elements of our art-related sponsorships and partnerships such as this year’s awards event were also migrated to the platform,” says Paul Bayliss Senior Specialist Art Curator at Absa.
Hosting the competition digitally allowed for the removal of any barriers to entry as all the artist required was a smart phone or access to the internet.
“With this year’s theme The Act of Art, we called our continent’s fearless creators to act and to enter. This years’ competition once again provided an opportunity for visual artists to respond and make their voices heard.
“We are committed to putting the basic building blocks in place to ensure that young artists from across the African continent can reimagine their futures and bring their possibility to life,” says Bayliss.
SANAVA President, Dr Avitha Sooful, commended her partner, Absa, for forging ahead and continuously seeking ways to impact the African visual arts scene even during the ongoing pandemic.
“The COVID-19 pandemic derailed our plans for 2020 but through some innovative thinking, we were able to come back stronger this year and we actually have more entries than we have ever had for this competition. I commend the work that our partners, Absa, have done in making sure that African artists continue to reap the rewards of their hard work,” Dr Sooful said.
“We look forward to working with this year’s ambassadors and Gerard Sekoto winner and providing the next generation of young African artists with the support, recognition, and exposure they need to solidify their careers and build their brands,” concluded Bayliss.
The world’s favourite bad boys, Marcus and Mike, are back with their iconic blend of edge-of-your-seat action and outrageous comedy in Bad Boys: Ride or Die. This time, there’s a twist: Miami’s finest are now on the run.
Ranked as the third biggest box office hit of 2024, Bad Boys: Ride or Die features an all-star cast led by Oscar winner Will Smith and multi-award-winner Martin Lawrence as Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett. They’re joined by Vanessa Hudgens (People’s Choice nominee), Tiffany Haddish (Emmy winner, Girls Trip), and Eric ‘McSteamy’ Dane (Grey’s Anatomy, Euphoria).
Praising the film, TheWrap wrote, “Ride or Die shows that not only is there still life in this series, but as long as it stars Smith and Lawrence, paired with skilled directors like Adil & Bilall, you could have Lowrey and Burnett wheeling themselves around the old folks’ home and still have a blast.”
Here are more must-watch movies now streaming on Showmax:
The Garfield Movie: Garfield—everyone’s favourite lazy, lasagna-loving cat—is back, and this time, he’s getting his paws dirty. When Garfield’s scruffy, long-lost dad Vic crashes back into his life, it’s chaos, comedy, and one unforgettable outdoor adventure. From a pampered life to a wild heist, Garfield and Odie are in for the ride of their lives.
Starring Chris Pratt as Garfield, Samuel L. Jackson as Vic, and a star-studded cast featuring Brett Goldstein, Hannah Waddingham, and even Snoop Dogg as a cat, this film is a treat for the whole family. No wonder it’s one of the top 20 biggest movies of 2024 and a Kids’ Choice Award nominee for Favourite Animated Movie.
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds: A prequel to Star Trek: The Original Series, Strange New Worlds boldly takes you back to the adventures of Captain Christopher Pike, Spock, and Number One as they explore the galaxy aboard the iconic USS Enterprise.
With a near-perfect 98% critics’ rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the series has been hailed as a return to form for the franchise. Salon.com describes it as “the Star Trek fans have been missing,” while Rotten Tomatoes celebrates its ability to “recapture the sense of boundless discovery that defined the franchise’s roots.”
A Quiet Place: Day One: This thrilling prequel takes us to the terrifying early days of the alien invasion through the eyes of Sam, played by the incredible Lupita Nyong’o. Trapped in New York City, every step Sam takes is a fight for survival as silence becomes the only hope.
Ranked as the #15 biggest box office hit of 2024 and scoring a solid 86% on Rotten Tomatoes, this nail-biting thriller also features Joseph Quinn (Stranger Things) and Alex Wolff (Hereditary). Critics call it “bleak, heart-pounding, yet oddly life-affirming”—a must-watch for fans of pure suspense.
Back to Black: Back to Black charts the extraordinary story of Amy Winehouse’s rise to fame from her early days in Camden through the making of her groundbreaking album, Back to Black, which catapulted her to global fame.
Critics are raving about Marisa Abela’s portrayal of Amy—Variety says she “nails Amy Winehouse in every look, mood, and note.” Backed by a stellar cast, including Jack O’Connell, Eddie Marsan, and Lesley Manville, this is a must-watch for music lovers and fans of Winehouse’s legacy.
From laugh-out-loud comedies and thrilling action to epic adventures and emotional dramas, there’s something for everyone on Showmax. Which one will you watch first? Don’t have a subscription? You can subscribe to the Showmax Entertainment mobile plan for just N1,600 monthly or the multiple-device plan for N3,500. Visit www.showmax.com/ng or download the Showmax app to register and subscribe today.
If you’re a fan of on-screen glamour and show-stopping fashion moments, Showmax has a trunk full of movies and series featuring cast that served unforgettable looks. From daring couture to timeless elegance, these shows are bound to help you improve your fashion sense.
Ready to immerse yourself in a world of glamour? Here are our top fashionable and diva-worthy picks
THE REAL HOUSEWIVES OF LAGOS SEASON 1-2
This reality TV show delves into the luxurious lives of Lagos socialites, spotlighting their shopping sprees, glamorous parties, jet-setting adventures, and the unspoken competition within their elite circles.
Iyabo Ojo, Toyin Lawani, Laura Ikeji, and Chioma Ikokwu steal the spotlight, consistently delivering impeccable fashion moments. From haute couture to luxury streetwear, these ladies showcase high fashion and elegance, proving they’re as much trendsetters as they are power players.
The first Nigerian installment of this award-winning franchise, distributed internationally by NBCUniversal Formats, a division of Universal Studio Group, returned for a highly anticipated second season in September 2023, bringing even more drama, style, and opulence to the screen.
Watch the trailer here: https://youtu.be/nBnnf3UKJpo
THE REAL HOUSEWIVES OF ABUJA
The new series takes viewers into the extravagant lives of six influential and accomplished women in Abuja.
The cast includes Arafa, Comfort Booth, OJ Posharella, Princess Jecoco, Samantha Homossany, and Tutupie as they navigate their luxurious lifestyles, relationships, families, and businesses in the heart of Nigeria’s capital and beyond. These women bring ultimate diva vibes with every appearance, serving bold, glamorous, and trend-setting fashion moments that redefine fabulousness.
All episodes of The Real Housewives of Abuja are now available for your binge-watching pleasure!
Watch the trailer here: https://youtu.be/xZBaxGEBnUw
STYLE MAGNATE
In Style Magnate, 20 talented designers embark on a month-long journey that will push their creativity, skill, and endurance to the limit. At the end of it all, only one designer will be crowned the winner and awarded a life-changing opportunity to launch their career as a designer for the stars.
Nigerian fashion designer and icon Mai Atafo, celebrated for his award-winning designs and expertise is on hand as the show’s Maestro. Hosting duties are expertly handled by Joseph Benjamin while Yolanda Okereke, a renowned stylist and costume designer for film and television, is the show’s Fashion Principal
Watch the trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKNVu6UUYFk
SADAU SISTERS S1
Sadau Sisters follows the lives of actress Rahama Sadau and her three sisters – Aisha, Fatima, and Zaina – as they navigate the complexities of sisterhood while uncovering deep family secrets and dealing with past traumas.
Set against a backdrop of strong religious and cultural values, the show beautifully highlights the sisters’ impeccable fashion sense that blends both tradition and modernity. In the debut season, the sisters reunite in a new home and city, uncovering many revelations about their family. Stream Sadau Sisters now, with new episodes dropping every week.
Watch the trailer here: https://youtu.be/0iDlm4Xmz5s
FLAWSOME S1-2
Flawsome follows four friends—Ifeyinwa, Ramat, Ivie, and Dolapo—as they navigate personal and professional challenges.
In Season 2, their lives evolve through reconciliations, career struggles, and personal growth, all while looking absolutely fabulous and chic.
With Dami Elebe (Skinny Girl in Transit) as the head writer and Tola Odunsi directing, the new season promises even deeper drama and compelling storytelling.
Watch the trailer here: https://youtu.be/m4oAWBYVLaA
Head over to Showmax now and stream these stylish masterpieces. Sign up for Showmax.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
A UK-based fashion technology company, Zyler, on Thursday, December 12, 2024, released a digital Christmas Jumper which can be worn for free for free using its fun AI-powered virtual try-on tool.
The alternative sweater was digitally designed by Zenaida Ossana, a talented 3D Artist and Fashion Designer with a rapidly growing following on Instagram.
Zenaida created the magical design using the new AI platform Neural Fashion and was inspired by seascapes and mermaids in her creative process.
“It was fun to work on this design knowing that many people might be able to see it and experience the potential of digital fashion for themselves,” the designer said.
“We think this is a fun use of AI tech, combining VTO and digital fashion to offer consumers an alternative way to participate in this phenomenon.
“We do also acknowledge that these technologies have an environmental footprint, however, we believe that responsible use of AI and digital design considerably outweighs the negative impact of overproduction and discarding of physical clothing,” Zyler’s innovation consultant and digital fashion expert, Karinna Grant, who led this project, explained.
The origin of the Christmas Jumper tradition can be traced back to 19th century Scandinavia where thick warm and brightly coloured jumpers were worn to escape from the cold.
More recently, Statista reported that on average 47 per cent of consumers worldwide enjoy ugly Christmas jumpers. However, that is not what motivated this project.
Zyler collaborated with Zenaida after being made aware of the shocking stats on the overconsumption of Christmas jumpers. True Origin reports that 12 million jumpers are purchased each year in the UK alone and 25 per cent of those are only worn once.
Research by environmental charity Hubbub found that 95 per cent of jumpers are made completely or considerably from synthetic materials. Generally, they are acrylic, and this means that they take over 200 years to decompose.
Consumers can try the jumper experience by visiting Zyler’s flagship Digital Dressing Room and in less than 90 seconds, they can see themselves wearing the distinct design.
-
Feature/OPED5 years agoDavos was Different this year
-
Travel/Tourism8 years ago
Lagos Seals Western Lodge Hotel In Ikorodu
-
Showbiz2 years agoEstranged Lover Releases Videos of Empress Njamah Bathing
-
Banking6 years agoSort Codes of GTBank Branches in Nigeria
-
Economy2 years agoSubsidy Removal: CNG at N130 Per Litre Cheaper Than Petrol—IPMAN
-
Banking2 years agoFirst Bank Announces Planned Downtime
-
Sports2 years agoHighest Paid Nigerian Footballer – How Much Do Nigerian Footballers Earn
-
Technology4 years agoHow To Link Your MTN, Airtel, Glo, 9mobile Lines to NIN