African creativity, European innovation, and sustainable mobility will converge in Milan next month as Artnovation and Hybrid Motors Nigeria Limited prepare to unveil a new artistic work exploring the relationship between art, electric vehicles, renewable energy, and sustainable development.
The partners will unveil The Bridge of Motion, the 17th work in Artnovation’s Thread of Continents series, during the opening of Echoes of Renaissance in the Hues of Africa at Fondazione Luciana Matalon on September 16, 2026.
Curated by Foluke Michael, Chief Curator of Artnovation, the first 16 works in the series explored the evolving relationship between Africa and Europe through themes including memory, encounter, trade, exchange and cooperation.
The new work takes the series into the areas of mobility, renewable energy, innovation and sustainable development. Its position as the 17th work is deliberate, referencing the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Michael described the project as a new chapter in the creative relationship between Africa and Europe.
“The journey does not end at sixteen. No. 17 carries the story towards a new horizon, where ideas gather momentum, possibilities take shape, and the future begins to move,” she said.
She added that The Bridge of Motion was intended to represent more than a vehicle, describing it as an exploration of what could emerge when creativity, renewable energy, sustainable development and innovation are brought together.
“For us, The Bridge of Motion is not simply about a vehicle. It is about what mobility can represent when creativity, renewable energy, sustainable development and innovation enter the same conversation—and what Africa and Europe might create together,” Michael said.
For Hybrid Motors, the collaboration is also aimed at advancing discussions around sustainable and indigenous mobility solutions for West Africa while creating opportunities for greater European technical, institutional and commercial cooperation.
The company’s founder, Jubril Arogundade, said its vision extended beyond vehicle development to developing mobility solutions tailored to the needs of West Africa.
“Our vision extends beyond vehicle development to sustainable, indigenous mobility solutions for West Africa, alongside opportunities for deeper European technical, institutional and commercial collaboration,” Arogundade said.
He described the Milan unveiling as the beginning of a broader conversation on sustainable mobility cooperation between Africa and Europe.
“The Milan unveiling marks the beginning of a conversation toward a potential sustainable Africa-Europe mobility partnership, where art helps us imagine what innovation can make possible,” he said.
The initiative also aligns with areas associated with the European Union’s Global Gateway strategy, particularly sustainable transport and renewable energy, with discussions expected to explore European technology, expertise, institutional partnerships and sustainable financing.
The project builds on AfroItalian Renaissance, launched in partnership with the Italian Consulate General in Lagos in December 2025. The initiative, which initially focused on cultural exchange, has since expanded into discussions around creativity, innovation, enterprise and shared opportunities between Africa and Europe.
Echoes of Renaissance in the Hues of Africa is scheduled to open at Fondazione Luciana Matalon in Milan at 5 p.m. CEST on September 16, with the exhibition open to the public from September 17 to 29.
The exhibition is built around the question of what could emerge if Africa and Europe jointly designed the future.
Through The Bridge of Motion, the organisers seek to present creativity as a bridge between the two continents, while sustainable mobility provides a platform for exploring innovation, renewable energy and shared development.
(The Sun)