Young and fearless: An art curator’s quest to promote northern Nigerian heritage

In the bustling city of Kano, Nigeria’s second-largest city, Maryam Batool stands as a beacon of creativity and innovation. At just 21 years old, she has already carved a distinctive path as a curator, filmmaker, and advocate for Nigerian arts

Inside a private gallery, visitors are greeted by a stunning array of wooden sculptures, intricate ironworks, and bronze casts—testaments to the rich cultural tapestry of Nigeria’s northern region. These exhibitions, meticulously curated by Batool and her team of artists at Kabara Kreatives, not only showcase local talents but also serve as platforms for cultural dialogue and artistic expression.

“Our mission is to provide a platform for artists to express themselves, engage with audiences, and inspire others through their creative endeavours,” explained Batool, who is the creative director at Kabara Kreatives.

Journeying into Creativity

Batool began her literary journey by writing poetry and short stories. Her passion for creative expression blossomed further when she ventured into Hausa literature, a move that eventually led her to delve into filmmaking. 

Training with the Women International Film Festival and Girls Voices proved pivotal, culminating in her directorial debut.  “We received extensive training that, in my quest to sharpen my scriptwriting skills, I became a film director and directed a short film, ‘Miss Binary,’ which was the outcome of our project,” she recalled.

Since then, she has pursued a career in filmmaking with notable success, one of which is the Kannywood television series “Muradi,” which she co-wrote.

Her Foray into Art Exhibitions

Transitioning seamlessly from literature to the visual arts, Batool’s career took a decisive turn when she joined Kabara Kreatives. Initially hired as a program manager at the Centre for Legal Orientation and Humanitarian Aid Nigeria, her calling to the arts beckoned stronger. Since then, she has steered Kabara Kreatives towards becoming a cornerstone of Northern Nigerian cultural initiatives.

“When Kabara Kreative, an art organisation, was looking for a Creative Director, a friend suggested the position to me. After going through the necessary process, I started working there. I learned that Kabara focuses not only on performance arts but also on visual arts. That’s when I ventured into research and self-development in that area, which I successfully achieved.”

Kabara Kreative, a project of the Kabara Community Development Initiative, was established as a nonprofit organization in 2016. This art initiative aims to foster greater collaboration and cooperation between cultural organizations, promoting unity and creative exchange.

Under Batool’s stewardship, Kabara Kreatives has orchestrated a series of transformative exhibitions. The “On Our Backs” exhibition, for instance, emerged from collaborative workshops, igniting a cultural renaissance that celebrates and revitalises northern Nigeria’s artistic heritage. 

Each exhibition, from “Artistic Rendezvous” to “Northern Nexus Exclusive,” not only highlights diverse mediums like painting, sculpture, and pottery but also fosters a supportive environment for emerging artists. 

“The event served as a reawakening for our artists and emphasized the power of representation. “On Our Backs” symbolizes the responsibilities carried by Northern artists to push, revive, and promote Northern art and culture through their creative expressions,” she told Prime Progress. 

With her strong artistic vision, creative talents, research skills, and organizational abilities, Batool has successfully managed events, exhibitions, and networking within the art community.

“When we organise our exhibitions, there’s a structured process we follow: first, we draw inspiration and conduct thorough research to develop a theme. We then put out a call for submissions, carefully select artists and artworks that align with the theme, and finalise preparations for organising and opening the show.”

On her first exhibition, Batool admitted feeling fearful: “I was apprehensive that people might not attend and that we wouldn’t receive enough submissions from artists to exhibit. However, it turned out to be a successful event that captured the attention of the Kano community and received positive feedback.”

Despite her youthfulness, Batool confronts scepticism head-on, challenging stereotypes and advocating for inclusivity in the arts. “People often overlook my capabilities and underestimate what I can achieve simply because I am young and a woman,” she stated. 

Batool draws inspiration from mentors like Hadiza Garbati and Hajia Kaltume B. Gana, stalwarts in the northern Nigerian arts scene, whose guidance continues to shape her vision. Looking forward, she envisions a future where art seamlessly integrates with technology, leveraging virtual and augmented reality to amplify cultural narratives and drive social change 

“Art serves as a beacon of inspiration and will continue to do so. Good art inspires great art,” she said. 

As she prepares for upcoming exhibitions and her next directorial endeavor—a promising short film—Batool remains steadfast in her commitment to push boundaries and inspire the next generation of Northern Nigerian artists.

In Kano and beyond, Maryam Batool stands not only as a curator and filmmaker but as a catalyst for cultural revival, weaving stories of resilience and creativity that resonate far beyond the gallery walls.