This September, Ankara steps beyond the familiar and into a new visual language. From September 8–12, 2025, Nike Art Gallery will present Ankara in Harmony, a solo exhibition by contemporary visual artist Goodluck Jane, whose work continues to redefine how African textiles function within contemporary art.
Ankara in Harmony is not an exhibition about fabric as fashion or ornament. Instead, it positions Ankara as a disciplined artistic medium capable of structure, rhythm, and narrative depth. Across a carefully curated selection of works, Goodluck Jane transforms a widely recognized textile into a site of visual experimentation, cultural reflection, and compositional precision.
At the heart of the exhibition is an attention to balance. Patterns are aligned with intent, colours are sequenced with restraint, and layers are constructed to create harmony rather than excess. Each piece invites the viewer to slow down and observe how repetition, spacing, and form work together to tell stories of identity, memory, and community. The fabric itself becomes a voice quiet in some moments, bold in others but always deliberate.
Goodluck Jane’s practice is grounded in a strong understanding of cultural inheritance, paired with rigorous training in design and visual expression. This dual foundation allows her to handle Ankara with both respect and confidence, pushing its possibilities without disconnecting it from its roots. In Ankara in Harmony, familiar materials are reshaped to reflect contemporary sensibilities while remaining unmistakably connected to tradition.
The exhibition will be presented with clarity and intention. Works will be generously spaced, allowing each composition to stand on its own while contributing to the exhibition’s overall rhythm. Thoughtful lighting and clear sightlines will highlight texture, colour, and detail, encouraging close looking and quiet reflection. Visitors from students and emerging artists to collectors and cultural professionals will be able to engage deeply with both the technical and conceptual layers of the work.
Beyond the gallery walls, Ankara in Harmony opens space for broader conversations. The exhibition invites dialogue around African textiles, material culture, and the evolving role of traditional media in contemporary art practice. By repositioning Ankara as a tool for storytelling and aesthetic refinement, Goodluck Jane challenges viewers to reconsider what familiar materials can communicate in modern visual contexts.
Hosting the exhibition in Abuja adds another layer of resonance. As a city shaped by cultural, political, and diplomatic exchange, Abuja offers a diverse audience whose perspectives will enrich discussions around heritage, innovation, and identity. The exhibition is expected to draw wide interest, fostering exchanges that extend from informal conversations in the gallery to deeper professional and educational engagement.
Ankara in Harmony also holds strong relevance for art and design students, who will find in the work valuable references for material handling, compositional discipline, and conceptual clarity. Informal interactions between students, artists, and collectors are expected to create opportunities for mentorship and dialogue, expanding the exhibition’s impact beyond visual appreciation.
With the institutional support of Nike Art Gallery, the exhibition brings together artist-led vision and professional presentation. The result is a body of work that is formally rigorous, culturally grounded, and visually compelling demonstrating how African textile-based art can occupy a confident place within contemporary gallery spaces.
Ultimately, Ankara in Harmony continues Goodluck Jane’s exploration of rhythm, structure, and narrative through African textiles. It offers audiences a chance to encounter Ankara anew not just as fabric, but as a powerful medium for expression, reflection, and cultural continuity.
