Hey there, art lovers and culture enthusiasts! If you’re in London or planning a visit, there’s a must-see installation at Somerset House that’s bound to leave you thinking long after you’ve left the gallery. Playwright and poet extraordinaire Inua Ellams has dropped a powerful new multimedia project titled The 419, and it’s nothing short of a creative masterpiece.
So, what’s The 419 all about? Ellams, known for his razor-sharp storytelling and knack for tackling complex themes, takes on Nigeria’s infamous “419” scam culture—a term rooted in the section of the Nigerian Criminal Code dealing with fraud. But don’t expect a surface-level critique. This project digs deep, blending evocative photography with beautifully crafted sonnets to explore the societal pressures, economic realities, and human stories behind these scams. It’s not just about the act of scamming; it’s about the why—the conditions, choices, and survival instincts that drive it.
Walking through the installation, you’re hit with a sensory experience that’s both intimate and expansive. The photographs pull you into raw, unfiltered moments—portraits of a society shaped by hustle and hardship. Paired with Ellams’ sonnets, each image becomes a narrative, weaving tales of ambition, desperation, and resilience. It’s the kind of art that doesn’t just sit pretty on the wall; it demands you pause, reflect, and question.
What makes The 419 so special is how it flips the script on a topic often reduced to stereotypes. Ellams invites us to look beyond the headlines and consider the broader context—poverty, systemic inequality, and the global dynamics that fuel these schemes. It’s not about excusing the scams but understanding the human cost and societal cracks they expose. This is art with a purpose, sparking conversations that are as uncomfortable as they are necessary.
If you’re in London, swing by Somerset House to experience The 419 for yourself. It’s a journey into Nigeria’s complex cultural landscape, told through the lens of one of the most innovative storytellers of our time. And if you’re not nearby, keep an eye out for Ellams’ work—this project is proof he’s pushing boundaries and redefining what art can do.
