The Manuscript Project

The Manuscript is a curatorial platform and evolving drawing project initiated in 2017 to explore the limitless possibilities of drawing as both medium and process. Rooted in experimentation, materiality, and imagination, the project was conceived as a space where artists could engage drawing beyond convention — not simply as preparation, but as a complete and expansive artistic language. Over the years, The Manuscript has grown through a series of exhibitions and dialogues that have continuously examined the emotional, conceptual, and physical nature of mark-making.

At its core, The Manuscript is committed to supporting emerging and established artists whose practices challenge and extend the boundaries of drawing. Through online exhibitions, curatorial research, and collaborative programming, the project creates visibility for artists working across traditional and experimental approaches — from graphite, charcoal, and ink to contemporary mixed-media and process-driven practices. Drawing is approached as an evolving conversation between artist, material, memory, and gesture, allowing each edition of the project to unfold as both exhibition and archive.

Now developing into an international platform between Nigeria and the United Kingdom, The Manuscript continues Jadé’s wider commitment to reflection, dialogue, and cultural exchange within modern and contemporary African art. The project seeks to create thoughtful spaces where artists, audiences, collectors, and institutions can engage deeply with drawing as a vital contemporary practice. Through future exhibitions, travelling presentations, and public programming, The Manuscript aims to build a sustained platform for emerging artistic voices while contributing to broader conversations around identity, experimentation, and contemporary visual culture.