by Maro Itoje scoured London, looking for artwork for his first apartment.
Try as he might, he could not find any African pieces to hang in his new home. When his quest for capital ended in vain, Itoje and his family decided to tackle the markets on their next trip to Nigeria.
A few months and a successful “pilgrimage” later, Saracens and England star Itoje has some artwork to show his heritage as his first home comes into being.
Fast forward eight years, and what began as a personal mission for his art to reflect his life has blossomed into much more.
Itoje and Khalil Akar’s first exhibition at the brand new Akoje Gallery opens on Wednesday, at Kentishtown Spring Studios. Entry is free – vital in Itoje’s eyes.
Every time I go back to Nigeria, I take a few pieces and bring them back to London.
Maro Itoje
“Art should be accessible to everyone,” said the 29-year-old Saracens, England and Lions lock. Standard Sports. “I grew up with a lot of art around me, but it didn’t interest me that much, until 2015. I was moving into my first apartment, and trying to decorate and design it.
“I was going around London trying to find some art for the walls, and all my life I’ve been struggling to find some African art. It was what I could get out of my range prices!
“I asked my mother, and she said ‘don’t worry, when we go back to Nigeria, we will go to the art market and we can bring some back’. Nine months or so later when we went, I was amazed by the color, vibrancy, texture and richness. I felt connected to the art.
“I’m not too skilled with a brush in my hands, but I feel a real strong sense of art. Since then there has been little pilgrimage. Every time I go back to Nigeria, I go back to the art market, I go to the galleries, I take a few pieces and bring them back to London.”
Akoje Gallery’s main exhibition, A Garden’s Beauty Never Lies In One Flower, will launch in London, but future shows will be staged around the world.
The gallery will also offer online offerings, and Akar, the former director of the Signature African Art Gallery, has worked with Itoje on projects for several years.
Artists Ibiok Bright, Oluwole Omofemi, Nissi Ogulu, Sara Knights, Dotun Popola, Olawunmi Banjo and Qozeem Abdulrahman will be featured in the opening of the Akoje Gallery.
Itoje has been supporting African art and culture through his now large platform for the past decade. The SOAS graduate believes that attitudes have changed, but it may not be long or widespread.
“It was a bit worrying when I was looking for art and not being able to find it,” he said. “But in the last 10 years I think we have seen a change in societal, cultural attitudes towards African art, a stronger understanding of music as well as visual arts, other creative spaces and even the film industry.
“African art, however, is not valued or I think appreciated in the same way as other geographical locations. Through our gallery we want to participate positively in that space. There’s so much talent and excellence, there’s no reason why it shouldn’t be seen as positive.”
Itoje’s schedule must be hectic, and yet the man is calm and relaxed.
Not just on the rugby field, Itoje also inspires change through his Pearl Fund, sponsoring a full education from nursery to college for children from some of Africa’s most deprived areas. Throw in his cultural aspirations too, and Itoje’s calendar is packed – but his focus remains unclouded.
“I want to have a positive impact on the people, themes and subjects I care about,” Itoje said. “I think I’m always looking at what can be done in a positive way, to honor the things I believe in and care about.
“Everyone is diverse, and the more accurate I am, the fairer I am as a person. I always keep my main thing as the biggest thing. I have interests outside of rugby of course, but I always make sure I’m in the best possible condition to play rugby – mind, body and soul.”
Itoje’s co-founder, Akar, praised the English star’s total commitment to his artistic endeavors – and also for using his platform effectively.
“What struck me when I first met Maro was how smart he is, and that he will always challenge,” Akar said. “This is a great passion for him. It is clear that he already does a lot of good, and rugby itself brings him great joy.
“However, for the artists here, I hope that they will have the opportunity to reach new heights that they would not have otherwise.
“It’s great that Maro is willing to use his platform to fight all the way. It’s amazing to have so many different lives coming together. I hope with everything that is so different you can create something brand new.”
