Artists Speak with Different Strokes

Rebecca Ejifoma

Opening on Saturday 17 June at the Terrakulture Art Gallery in Victoria Island Lagos at 2pm,
an array of 30 aesthetic paintings and sculptures from fine artist Gab Awusa and Philip Nzekwe
will run until June 26 at the gallery. 

Riding on the theme: 'Different Strokes' these creative fine-artist and sculptor have successfully
woven their thoughts into a basket of art pieces to contain their message of hope across to the
world on the environmental factor and the woman's figure. 

 

Using the symbol of palm trees, the  five-time solo painter pens with his brushes and colours on
his canvas the livelihood of the Deltans, their source of education and stream of wealth before
the discovery of crude oil. "People who are not from the South, do not know about the palm tree
 in Delta. Most of us who wanted to school got sponsorship from the resources of the palm tree.
Most of us have not enjoyed the money from crude oil, directly."

Through 'Habbitat' Awusa depicts palm tree as resourceful with financial gains to the average Delta
man. "But as a result of the exploitation of the environment, crude oil has caused so much tension in
the country."

His works of paints include: Habbitat (120x150cm), Tropical Vibes (120x150cm), the Bride
(60x90cm), The Retailer (122x152cm), The Music Maker, Memo of Elizabeth (30x38cm),
Nursing Mothers 4 (20x24cm), Bsuy Hands (20x24cm) and Cuddle (30x38cm) among others. 

Interestingly, although the Delta state born artist began his illustration with palm trees, he delved
swiftly to women - a class of humans he likens to life. Hence, a cursory look at his works, an art
connoisseur would notice the female figure taking the limelight. Awusa simply expresses his love
and appreciation for the woman as an epitome of beauty and continuity.

From his statement, he made it clear that his subject and theme are drawn from nature and the
female body. In nature and woman, God's omnipotence is flaunted. The female figure is the symbol
and strength of the family, continuity and the survival of humanity rest squarely on her shoulder.
"Without her, the divine mandate to mankind to be fruitful and multiply will not be fulfilled. There is
more to this complex human-being called woman than her physical attributes.

The painter appreciates the woman. He hails her prowess. He adores her carriage and
package and he admires her divine mandate, "be fruitful and multiply".  Indeed, it is no
gainsaying then that if the woman is not involved in any home that seeks such continuity, then
it is a futile journey. 

Now, Nzekwe's Crush series is the talk in town. It expresses freedom. It is our feelings and views 

bottled. We use these children to drive home our points - love and hope that can't be expressed.

So, he transforms junks into beauty to explore the narrative if unexpressed feelings and emotions
bottled up in an African Child's minds' eyes in the background of beauty and blossom as a metaphor.
"A beautiful, colourful and peaceful environment free from pollution is attainable if the beauty of one's
country and its cultural diversity outshines the cloud of greed,over-exploitation and marginalisation."

He shares same ideology and aesthetic appeal with Awusa, who veers from nature and environment
to beauty. "I frrely manipulate available materials to invert the story of my people who lived in a land
of heartbeat of the Royal Niger Company. Now called the Niger Delta."

Unfazed by the cans of many colours, the two-times solo artist who runs the most vibrant. Art Studio 

Space in the Niger Delta Region of Asaba splattered the large canvases of Crush: Tomorrow's Love; 

Crush: Streamside Exchange; Crush: Inverted Exchange; Love and Landscape. While his wood works 

are Crush I, Crush II, Crush III, Contemplation (Bronze). 

Indeed, the duo artists may have been missing in showing their pieces for five years, but through 

pointilism, he told this reporter that he believes an artist should carve a niche for himself and be very
active since other artists are coming up. "I still want to be seen; hence, this group show with Phillip.
And one has to be financially ready, too. "

Together, their trays of works celebrate the nation. "That is the way it should be. So, you don't look
at the works from one side since they are metaphor."

Now, with Akinyemi Adetunji as their private curator, he assures art lovers of a better art as these
creators of world unknown and impressive images.