Nigerian customs has seized a sculpture by artist Sokari Douglas Camp that was created to honour the writer and environmental justice activist Ken Saro-Wiwa, who was executed alongside eight fellow activists by the Nigerian military almost 20 years ago.
Battle Bus, which was originally created back in 2005 for London-based arts and environment group Platform’s Living Memorial competition, was sent to Nigeria to show solidarity with continuing efforts to get oil giant Shell to repair damage caused by oil spills in the Ogoniland region of the country.
The work was due to be permanently installed in Saro-Wiwa’s birthplace, Bori-Ogoni, in time for the anniversary of his execution on 10 November 1995. However, on 17 August, just two days after the it left London, the work was seized. It has now been held in Lagos for eight weeks with no formal explanation.
Sokari Douglas Camp CBE, said: “It’s a deep shame that the Bus has been seized. I urge for the release of the Living Memorial to Ken and the other Ogoni 8 so that this gift from allies in the UK can create a space to reimagine the future of Nigeria. This is a call for freedom of expression to both honour the people who have fought for justice in Ogoniland and the people struggling for justice today.”
Since its creation, the Bus has travelled to a variety of sites, often being used for events, education, and performances. These include New Art Exchange Nottingham, Liverpool Maritime Museums, Bristol’s Arnolfini Gallery, Glastonbury Festival and Bernie Grant Arts Centre London.
AkpoBari Celestine Nkabari, National coordinator for Ogoni Solidarity Forum-Nigeria (OSF) commented: “We have a right to mark the anniversary of the killing of Ken Saro-Wiwa. We have a right to erect a remembrance for the many dead and for the suffering we have been forced to exist in. The Bus belongs to the Ogoni people and it is illegal for the Nigerian authorities to seize it for no reason.”
Nkabari added that requests for the sculpture to be released had been ignored, leaving the group with little choice but to take action. “It is the only option available to us. On the expiration of this ultimatum, we will mobilize Ogoni people and our friends to block the East West road and cripple every economic activity in that axis.”
In an act of solidarity, Platform is organising a Day of Action on 10 November 2015, beginning in London at 8am outside Shell’s headquarters. platformlondon.org
