Nigeria: Nissi Ogulu announces NFT collection

Titled Jigsaw Tribe, the exclusive NFT for Good digital art series was made available in collaboration with Binance Charity. NFT for Good is Binance's social impact initiative enabling creators to convert their art into meaningful global action that targets social and humanitarian issues. A percentage of Ogulu’s collection, which features unique pieces exploring Africa’s musical heritage through animated instruments, will go to The Reach programme, which provides 6 000 meals to underprivileged Nigerians every month as well as other ad hoc community initiatives.

Jigsaw Tribe comprises NFTs with various rarity levels and pricing. Added value utilities include invitations to live events and art exhibitions, concessions on signed and printed digital art pieces, and whitelisting privileges for future NFT drops.

“With Jigsaw Tribe, my intention is to take you across the continent to discover handcrafted musical instruments, in all their colourful glory, that may not be known to the rest of the world,” Ogulu said. “The pieces also reflect the music tradition of Africa, with its amazing sounds, in a hyper-contemporary and animated artistic expression.” 

She added: “What excites me is the fact that African music and culture are finally getting the renown and success they so richly deserve as being integral to global music and creativity. So, the collection is my artistic take on bringing the continent’s vibrant music tradition and all-around creative brilliance to the world, this time in an animated way,”

Binance executive vice-president and Binance Charity head Helen Hai said: “Binance Charity’s NFT for Good initiative connects creators, their art and their cause. Jigsaw Tribe is yet another exciting example of this and it’s beautiful to see the series merging tradition and technology. Having spent many years working in Africa, the region, the people and their culture hold a special place in my heart. I’m thrilled we’re able to collaborate with Nissi in a homage to her heritage.”

Ogulu is the creative director at Spaceship Entertainment and the founder of Creele Animation Studios. She is behind 2020’s Ignite EP and is signed to the Spaceship Collective.

The exclusive artwork series will be sold in a premium auction on the Binance NFT Marketplace between 30 May and 20 June. To participate in the auction, traders must open a cryptocurrency account on Binance and bid for the artwork. Trades will be accepted in BNB, the cryptocurrency coin that powers the Binance Chain ecosystem.