Title:
Red Gold

Year:
2016

Running time:
18 minutes

Format:
HD digital film, colour with sound

Two channel back projection 3000 x 1700 mm (dimensions variable)

Location:
Lagos, Nigeria

Acknowledgements:

Public Collection, City of Geneva Contemporary Art Collection (FMAC) – courtesy of

Produced in association with Centre d’Art Contemporain Genève on the occasion of the Biennale de l’Image en Mouvement 2016

Before Nigeria’s independence in the 1960s, it stood as one of the world’s biggest cultivators and exporters of palm oil. But in the wake of the discovery of crude oil, the sector was abandoned and farmers were forgotten.

The Nigerian government now promotes renewed support for the agricultural industry, but this has never really transpired.

“Red Gold” centers on a group of farmers working independently to produce palm oil in Ekiti state, Western Nigeria. They lease the land from a prince, whose family have ruled the area for generations.

The work is a two channel presentation – one aspect portrays the farmers, while the other the prince, Mr Sesan.

These farmers are proudly self-sufficient, working tremendously without any support from the government.

“Red Gold” reflects poignantly on notions of independence and value within this history of Nigeria.

“Red Gold” premiered at the Biennale de l’Image en Mouvement (2016-2017), produced with support from the Centre of Contemporary art, Geneva.

For full preview link, please contact studio@karimahashadu.com