Lagos Awaits Sensing Spaces

HomeWard Journey by Damola Adepoju

Rebecca Ejifoma

A group art exhibition, featuring the recent works of 10 nimble painters, opened today SaturdayApril 19 at 4 p.m at the Terra Kulture Art Gallery, Victoria Island. 

The exhibition, titled, Sensing Spaces, has on display 40 paintings of oil on canvass, mixed media and pencil works. According to the artists, all from Defectori Studio, the show conveys a social-political and economic message.

Speaking at a press briefing held at the weekend, one of the artists, Adeladan Adeshino said the show is based on the collective experience of the artists.

“This is very important because it will mark the first show since we moved to our individual studios. It will bring to light the need for communion among us,” he said.

Some of the works are: “Hope”, “Profile 1”, “Supreme Vision”, “Mystery of African Woman”, “Isale Eko”, “Eko Ile”, “Eko Ile 2”, “Eko Akete”, “Home of Wisdom”, “Homeward Journey” and “Abode of Flowing Water” amongst others.

With the quest to satiate the audience with art appreciation, their works define the combination of brain and brawn. One of the painters, Damola Adepoju remains one of the widely collected artists of his generation with most of his major works displayed in respected galleries, locally and internationally.

While Awoyemi’s “Hope” reflects on some of the challenges facing the country and express optimism for the future, Akintunde’s “Profile 1” that everyone has a profile which is internal to them as against the one being read in the public.

Among the 10 artists are Awoyemi Ajibade, Anthony Ayanu, Akintunde John, Chika Idu and Taiwo George-Taylor. Others include, Ngozi Schommers Ola Balogun and Joe Essien.

Defectori Studio comprises artists with diverse styles and techniques who believe in sharing ideas, originality and individual creativity for social development and engagement.

The exhibition, which will run from April 19 to 26, will capture themes that have revelance beyond Lagos.
April 19 at 4 p.m at Terra Kulture Art Gallery, Victoria Island. 

LBHF Sets For 2014 Literary Competition

By Rebecca Ejifoma

One of the Children's Paintings at VOC

Lagos Black Heritage Festival in collaboration with the Lagos State Ministry of Education and Diamond Bank calls for entry into the 3rd edition of “Vision of the Child”, where participants will express their vision in both Painting and the Literary Arts from 14th to 21st of April on the Lagos Island and Badagry.

With the theme “The Rule of Law and the Law of Impunity”, the VOC is a component of the yearly LBHF that focuses on the individual vision and artistic inclinations of children between the ages of nine and 12 in any primary or secondary (public or private) schools in Lagos State.”

In a press release issued recently by the Festival Secretary, Mr Foluke Michael, this year, the competition will begin with the literary section: a poem, essay or short story of 300 to 500 words, on the theme. “Those who scale through will then be invited to the festival’s base, Freedom Park (by Broad Street, Lagos); provided with brushes, paint and easel and set to illustrate their literary presentation in the complementary medium of Painting.”

Registration, which opens on 10th of February 2014, will close on 14th March. The organisers explained that the 2014 edition of the VOC is designed as an interactive test to stretch youthful creativity even more than in previous editions, which were also very successful. Instead of the uni-disciplinary interpretation of the given theme, participants will express their vision in both Painting and the Literary Arts.

Meanwhile, this is the premiere edition of what can be regarded as a mini Artistic Decathlon, tailored to the capabilities of the child; adding, “The Festival already envisages an even more intensive contest, with a disciplinary repertory, whose menu would change from edition to edition − but all that is in the future,” Foluke discloses.

Describing the what to expect at the competition, the organisers said that it would be an exhibition of the paintings from last year's theme, “The Thousand Faces of Corruption”, which is set to tour selected sites in Nigeria. “The registration form, which worth N500 (Five Hundred Naira), can be obtained online from www.lagosblackheritagefestival.com/votc. or through the Festival’s office at Freedom Park (Old Colonial Prison), 1 Hospital Road, by Broad Street, Lagos. Completed registration forms can then be submitted at the same LBHF Secretariat at Freedom Park,” it explains.

Therefore, the LBHF invites parents, schools and their teachers to the 2014 edition, as it assures all that prizes will be presented to the winners by the sponsors: Diamond Bank and the Lagos State Government while entries will be mounted for viewing at the Gala event to mark the conclusion of the Festival.    

Bunmi Returns with Metamrophosis

 Rebecca Ejifoma

Symbiotic Metamorphosis by Bunmi

  

With the recent findings that female artists seldom participate in group and solo exhibitions in Nigeria, a dais was set up to spur and bring more African female artists, who crave to express themselves through visual art to the limelight.

At the Terra Kulture Art Gallery, Victoria Island Lagos, Bunmi Oyesanya-Ayaoge’s solo exhibition, titled, Symbiotic Metamorphosis, will run from 22nd to 29th March. The show, which will exude her recent 40 works,

With the intention to satiate her audience at the exhibition, Bunmi’s prolific Metamorphosis tells the journey of womanhood: from a little girl, to a lady, a mother to a grandmother; hence, Symbiotic Metamorphosis. This young girl is holding a flower, which means she’s full of life while the green in the painting represents fertility. After having babies, she still comes into the society again fetching and young. The end of her journey is the old age with all her children around her just like the Biblical Psalms, which illustrates that you’ll have your children around your table.

Although women like Ndidi Dike and Veronica Otigbo have sprung with several solo exhibitions, this makes the world of female visual artists evolve rapidly as their male counterparts'.

Bunmi had had 24 group exhibitions in the past and her first solo "Artforms" in 2007 at the National Museum and Monument Onikan, Lagos. This show, which is her second solo, will exude her recent works including: Bold and Beautiful Fashionistas, Tranquility (Oil on board) this is about calmness in the night, Breaking News (Mixed Media) Village Beauty, Breaking News, Dynamic Dancers, Market Beauty, Facebook Frenzy, Harmattan Haze, Idi Ileke, Intimacy, Iya Ibeji, Mama Oyoyo and Daily Occurrence among others.

Bunmi, known to be a reality painter, said she had influence from her training with Olapo at Universal studios before she went to Auchi Poly. “I am not restricted in anyway; I paint the details of my mind. Like “Bold and Beautiful Fashionistas,” it depicts tubby women. Only those who are bold on the big sides can expose it even on red carpet events; everybody cannot be slim. This piece of work is just to tell people that these people are there.

Although Bunmi was out of the Art circulation since 2008, she visited several places where her works were displayed to the glare of art lovers. “I was always in one or two exhibitions and at the same time taking care of my family. I believe that if you are not the type that has been sleeping before, you’ll always meet up. I’m not sure of the trends now that I’m back but I know that as an artist you can always fit in whenever," she added.

As an independent artist, Bunmi says her aesthetic pieces are exceptional. "Divine inspiration, creative intuition, economic and socio-cultural events are the driving force behind my aesthetic license," in her words.

Olubunmi, who was born in Lagos, hails from Isara-Remo, Ogun state. She graduated from Lagos state Polytechnic in 1998, where she bagged her National Diploma in General Art and in 2002 had her Higher National Diploma in Painting in Auchi Art School, Federal Polytechnic Auchi, Edo state.

 

TerraKulture to Serves Ogunwo’s Cocktail

Rebecca Ejifoma

Smile (1) By Bolaji Ogunwo

Art lovers and connoisseurs have been called to pay attention with their eyes, as TerraKulture Art Gallery serves Ogunwo’s different flavours of cocktail for visual consumption through his solo exhibition on 8^th of March at 4 p.m.

The exhibition of paintings, which will run from 8^th to 15^th of March at the TerraKulture Victoria Island Lagos, is titled Visual Cocktail and will exude the artist’s 30 works ranging from oil, acrylic, pastel, water colour and mixed media.  According to Bolaji Ogunwo several people have mounted pressure on him to paint Nigerian traditional art but he needed to create a niche.

At a press conference on Thursday, the artist said, “Visual Cocktail is a bid to satisfy the appetites for aesthetics and knowledge through orchestration of colours that are visually edible, coupled with thoughts and values taught by the great minds. It’s an attempt to express timeless truth and proven ideologies opined by great minds in visual language.”

He expounded that his art practice spanning over a decade has witnessed myriad of critique and appreciation by fellow artists, collectors and connoisseurs alike. However, somewhere along the line “I found these philosophical anvils on which I have hammered my creative skill into a definite shape.”

The Chase

Citing Albert Einstein’s famous quote, Ogunwo explained, “Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different result is insanity” coupled with Shiv Khera’s words, “Winners don’t do different things; they do things differently”, therefore, Ogunwo decided not to do different things rather do the common things uncommonly well. “This time, I’m bringing the words of great minds in a visual language as a reminder to our people, because I discovered that the reading is going down the drain,” he said.

Among the works to be displayed include: Pensive, Will Power, the Voyage in series 1, 2 and 3; Vision, Lindigo and Elmina Castle among others. “As a lecturer as well, my rich texture is not just to showcase to people but a commendable feat that has received global recognition; hence, I have consolidated my bond with my palette to mix out works that are didactic and enduring,” adding, “I want to inspire people to flag their wings and fly.”

According to the artist, “I deemed it exigent to bring to the public glare, the aesthetics sensibilities that concluded in my art. I have ventilated in colours, places, events and occurrences that I have witnessed in recent times; I have got something to say.”

Meanwhile, Ogunwo had his first solo exhibition in 2008 titled, “Women and War.” An indigene of Ogun state, he graduated from the University of Lagos in 2000.

With an attempt to chart a course for a stylistic and thematic direction, which was quite cumbersome according to him, Ogunwo urged, “I try to interpret words of great minds in a visual language. I hope one or two persons will learn and take to from here. Enjoy your drink!”

ANA Lagos Gives Dead Roses on Val

Dead Roses by Kemi

Rebecca Ejifoma

To keep the youths abuzz with writings of love and keep them abreast of sharing such moments together (Valentine), the Association of Nigeria Authors Lagos (ANA), presented Kemi Omowaire’s Dead Roses at its official Annual Special Valentine Reading.

Several youths and old writers mounted the podium at the Valentine Reading to express the meaning of their poems, which held at the Board Room, Faculty of Arts, University of Lagos, Akoka at the weekend.

According to the chairman of the Association, Mr Onileagbon Femi, at the event titled, Writings with Love, as the thematic preoccupation of the day is dedicated to love writers. “We give writers the opportunity to mount the stage and breathe life into these characters they have created.”                                                                                

Therefore, several poets including upcoming ones, playwrights and publishers even literary enthusiasts graced the event to give their perspectives through performances, readings, comments and suggestions. “We are trying to boost the literary impulse in our members so that they go out there and be the top notch,” he explained.

Meanwhile, the main course of the day was the public presentation of Kemi Omowaire's new book, Dead Roses. This is an intriguing book on love and loving and has a great message for both "valentiners" and "valentined." A creative write up that builds the characters form in a prosaic style, Dead Roses expounds the youthful life of friendship, relationship, love and all that they entail.

Onileagbon, who read his poem, “And You Said I Shouldn’t Touch?” said, “ANA Lagos wanted to mend broken hearts and help timid hearts find courage to declare hoarded affections. I really hope that, having heard these love poems today in honour of the day, all will go home loved and beloved.”

However the lengthy words, reading through pages of Kemi’s book, there were several breakers that thrilled the participants. Also, the final piece of pleasure from the WordMiners, a talented new duet, was exuded as well as a business seminar after the valentine session.

Kogbe’s Exhibition Brings Back Obaino

Rebecca Ejifoma

A solo exhibition of Fine-Art and music, featuring the recent works of Temitope Kogbe, opened on Saturday January 4^th at the Miliki Company at Etim Inyang in Victoria Island, Lagos.

Behind the Camera

The Exhibition, which runs until 12^th this month, is titled “what do you do with a desire” and is being organized by Livingstone Studio and Nrazor. According to the artist the exhibition of his 13 works celebrates his photography alongside Obaino music produced in Nigeria from the 60s to 80s.

“I’m just trying to show what happens from behind the camera. There was the energy around this period, which I felt was very strong. I just thought I needed to document it. There are so many musicians out there, who sing completely different from what we used to have. I felt a need to remind Nigerians of what they are really missing − the music of the 60s,” he explained.

He said that Nigerians needed to take their destinies into their hands; “I’m not saying we should carry guns. But we should change the area around us even if it’s sending one person to school. We shouldn't wait for the government to do everything for us. There is a general dissatisfaction cutting across politics and religions.”

Some of his works from the show is featured by Wikipedia as illustration for the Occupy Nigeria segment. The images include: A compelling Desire, Spirit of the Times, What do you do with a desire, People Power Possibilities, One, Force field of the spirit. “My works in one voice is about all notions that underlay the mass movement,” he added.

Meanwhile, the world acclaimed artist, Nneka Egbuna, presented a few of her new songs at the show. Also, music from the records were played.

Temitope Kogbe is a contemporary photographer and business economist. He has had other exhibitions in the past both within and outside Nigeria notably ‘The Light in Jazz’ sponsored by the British Airways.

The exhibition promises to be a week of 80s Disco, afro-funk (vinyl based jams), fine wine and tings and of course fine art. All photos will be printed on Museum Grade, Enhanced Velvet Fine Art Paper by Art Related Limited.

Artists to Dine, Reunion with Fasuyi

Rebecca Ejifoma
 

 

In celebration of an Icon, Timothy Adebayo Fasuyi, who has undoubtedly contributed to the Nigerian Art, great artists have set up plans to exude repertoires of various works at the art exhibition to hold for November 30 at the Resource Place in Ikeja, Lagos.

The exhibition titled, Redefinition, buttresses the revival of the erstwhile TAFAS gallery and its redefinition. The Resource place as a resourceful venue for art exhibition, fashion shows and book launch among others.        

The exhibition is intended to bring to the public glare of artist, art collectors and connoisseurs the accessible and befitting ambience of The Resource place located in the heart of Lagos state capital Ikeja.                             

According to Fasuyi at a press briefing held at the Resource Place recently, he is not producing art piece for sale; “I don’t need to go round for exhibitions. I want to leave them as legacy for the next generation. Each work I do carry some relevance to history, politics, environment and people so that the coming generation will learn what was there before them. It’s a wealthy programme.”

The names, Adebayo Fasuyi, has become like words to art connoisseurs and artists in the country so much so that several, who have benefitted from his awards across the country, have come to dine on canvass ones more. “After many years of absence of art activities in this place, I want to re-open it to its original focus, which is the promotion of artists and their works,” he said.

The exhibition, slated to start on 23rd November, will feature 40 works of seasoned artists including the pioneer of the Gallery; Chief Adebanjo Fasuyi; a Sculptor and Lecturer in the Department of Fine art, Yaba College of technology Mr Adeola Balogun and Bolaji Ogunwo, a Painter and Lecturer in the Department of Creative arts, University of Lagos.

A born artist, who through the rides and tides of this world has pictured man on canvass, said until now artists and art students come to ask him questions. “I want to see the best students come from all over n discuss this art,” he added.

He is a core student of Art, one of the first set of the Zaria Art School, worked in many art sectors and was the Federal Art Adviser who took over from late Professor Ben Enwonwu. As a result of his love for art, he established the Fasuyi prize for best graduating art student in tertiary institutions in the country to help art students. He added, “I also established Tafas Art gallery located in Akora Estate, off Adeniyi Jones Ikeja, Lagos in 1976, the first structure designed for art and culture, theatre, drama and dance. I was one of the officials, who selected the model for this national theatre with Enahoro. But the Tafas gallery played its role then, in fact it was at the gallery that most of the plans for the FESTAC ’77 were done, but after some while the place was used for other purposes.”

Besides the exhibition, the organisers said they were trying to bring together the artists, who have won the Fasuyi prize, an establishment when he was the FAA. “Although, some of them have not met him before it will be more like a re-union. We will look at the award and see how it has impacted on them,” one of them continued.

Art pieces include oil, acrylic, water colour, metal works, ceramics and mixed media among others.

Meanwhile, one of the exhibiting artists and creative arts lecturer at the University of Lagos, Bolaji Ogunwo, pointed out that it would be a platform to acknowledge Fasuyi on how he had impacted positively on artists through his award and at the same time put the place to its original use.

Redefinition will also feature the artistic rave of the moment, Dudu Emmanuel who was trained in Auchi Polytechnic, Edo state; prolific painter, Onyeka Gregory and a dexterous Ceramist, Ojetunde Sheriff trained in the University of Lagos while Biodun Badmus, an OAU best graduating student some years ago, will showcase his artistic talent.                          

The exhibition Promises to display experimental and expressionistic tendencies that characterised the artists’ works in recent times. Titles of works include: Marriage vows, Sunset and child labour, Expectation, Nostalgia, Acquatic Habitat and Shrine, Forest of demons, Sunset on child labour, Bushmeat on drier and Ifa.