NBA Africa Collaborates With Nigerian Artist Dennis Osadebe On The Second Edition Of “NBA Meets Art”

NBA Africa threw the second “NBA Meets Art” event, an invitation-only evening gathering that drew together notable figures from the worlds of sports, business, music, fashion, and art. On Saturday, November 4, in Lagos, Nigeria, this carefully planned event honored basketball as a game through the prism of Nigerian art and culture.

NBA Africa partnered with Nigerian artist Dennis Osadebe to curate an installation for this edition called “Passing / Building / Victory,” which evaluated the importance of teamwork on the court and how similar cooperation can foster community development.

This aligns with the NBA’s mission to inspire and unite people worldwide through the power of basketball. Using the artist’s signature mask—a reoccurring symbol in his visual art language that alluded to Nigeria’s basketball heritage—five miniatures depicting basketball players made up the installation.

The figures, which were modeled after toys and evoked universal childhood memories, were in active motion, symbolically moving the ball through their arms, united and outstretched.

This captured the spirit of victory achieved through teamwork, emphasizing the significance of each individual’s contribution to the advancement, expansion, and prosperity in their different communities.

Additionally, the piece was on display for the general public from November 3–November 5 as part of “ART X Lagos” 2023 in the Balmoral Convention Center at the Federal Palace Hotel in Lagos.