Art Collectors Await Nuggets

Rebecca Ejifoma

Marine Supermarket by Kehinde Olusola

More artists are gaining the exhibition platform in the art scene as a group art exhibition, featuring the recent arrays of 10 abstract artists, will open on Saturday May 24 by 4 p.m. at the Mydrim Art Gallery, Norman Williams, Ikoyi Lagos.

The exhibition, titled, “Nuggets” will display 50 artistic works of paintings and sculpture. According to these nimble artists at a press briefing recently, they needed to carve a niche in what they do; hence they seized the opportunity to showcase what they had been nurturing for so long − their works.

The artists, all from Universal Studios of Arts, said Nuggets is a quest to interpret their works in distinctive styles through their aesthetic pieces, having been refined in the art world. “We want the public to taste the dexterity and the efforts of the Universal studios and what we have put together,” they explained. This exhibition, in which the masters are presenting their protégés, aims to showcase the exceptional works of the young artists and the high level of professional training available at the Universal Studios.

Some of the works to be displayed include: Hope of Change (178’’ X 70’’), Majestic Movement (221 X 87’’), Stretch (182 X 72’’), And the Search Continues (86 X 91’’), Care (122 X 48’’), Marine Supermarket (152 X 203 and 60 X 80’’). Others are Toke, Elegance (244 X 96), Supplication, Frozen Prints (81 X 94), Evening Shadows (24 X 48’’) and Ole Ku Onigele (22 X 75’’) among others.

However, the artists to exhibit are Abdulllahi Haliru, Boma Joe Jim, Efosa Ero, Emeka Nwagbara, Godfrey Okojie, Kehinde Olusola, Niyi Fakeye, Olajide P. Salako, Olufemi Oyewole and Olusola Fakeye respectively.

Their works come in different characters, shapes and figures, carvings and paintings, charcoal, pencil and steel-life drawing. Some of the artists, who have been around for over 20 years at the Universal Studios of Art, have roots in their mentors, as they are said to work with technical proficiency and the etiquette in practice. Like many other prolific painters and sculptors, some of the exhibiting artists had no clear conviction of their destination, the studio chairman, Mr. Bunmi Babatunde enthused, “But with different tones from different backgrounds, they have come together with the character to harness.”

Babatunde explained that it is not the production of the artists’ works but the attitude of professionalism in career; hence, they have come out of their mentors to have images of their own. They have joined forces, because they believed there is the beauty of working together. He added, “The beauty of works is in the eyes of the collector.”

Over the years, many young artists went on professional pilgrimage to this rented space which eventually became a hub for artists and art lovers. This informal group of artists metamorphosed into Universal Studios. In 1995 this arrangement was made formal by the registration of the business name Universal Studios of Art.

Their joint effort underscores their urge to give the world these experimental works for a taste, as they are confident that art lovers and collectors will enjoy the exhibition. The show will run from May 24 to June 7.

UNILAG Art Dept Inducts 150 Students

Rebecca Ejifoma

The President, Creative Arts Students Association (CASA) of the University of Lagos, Mr. Damian Enyaosah, said recently that the 150 students inducted into Art Department would awaken youths out there to get education in any field of their choice.

It was a ceremony of folklore for the Green Horns dressed in their traditional black and white regalia each carrying a calabash and chanting in fulfilment of the tradition initiation ceremony for theatre students.

Speaking at the event, Enyaosah said the induction would enable the students to prepare their minds ahead of their future challenges and decision making.


“We want the creative arts to attract a lot of youths so that it will engage them, since it has a lot of energy in the areas of dancing and music. It is one in three: theatre, music and visual arts. So, it became creative arts, they can choose which area to specialise in,” he explained.

“It is equally an avenue for the youths to express themselves and the entertainment industry is growing so they need to be trained professionally,” he added.

Enyaosah, who is a final year student, however, expounded that he would hope for graphics, cinematography and film to be included in their curriculum.

“We know that the technological advancement, the university management and the creative arts department management have been very understanding. I do hope and believe they will grant us this one,” in his words.

The Coordinator of the induction, Mr. Michael Ajimati, said: “I have learnt from the professionals; therefore, we want to impact it on new entrants in the school.”

Seeing the enthusiasm of the new students during the exercise, Michael added, “I agree that theatre arts can be very tedious but one can scale through with determination, especially in one’s youthful time. The reason it seems tedious has to do with the energy one has to put into the dance, plays and the rehearsals all the time.”