By Edozie Udeze
The ongoing group exhibition of 110 artists comprising members of the Society of Nigerian Artist (SNA) Lagos State chapter at the Freedom Park, Lagos, is an expose of some of the best artworks in Nigerian history. At the opening last weekend, all the big names and smaller names in the contemporary art scene in Nigeria were in attendance. The large assemblage of who-is-who in the sector further proved how much the event means to the people.
Tagged October Rain Exhibition, this is usually an opportunity for all members of SNA to participate in the show. Begun about 21 years ago, the show has been remarkable. Each artist is usually asked to submit a work each, it is only in rare cases that artists submit more than one. The idea is to allow as many members as possible to have the opportunity to be exhibited.
It is also an opportunity to get to see artists from across all segments of the visual arts sector. Artists from the private sector, from tertiary institutions, even undergraduates are all allowed so long as you are a member of SNA.
According to Idowu Sonaya, the chairman of Lagos SNA, it is for all to see the value of togetherness for which the society is known. “You can’t be a member without having an avenue to come together”, he noted. Therefore the October Rain show has been an apt moment to reflect, reappraise and reassess the gains of the sector and what next to do to move to the next level.
So far, Sonaya says it is possible to extend the frontiers of the show to ensure it does not die off. In fact due to the largeness of the artworks, two halls were used to display the works. As they hung on the walls, they glittered in different media, showing different forms, styles, experiments and expression. The works indeed go into different aspects of the society ex-raying ways to ensure a better society for the people. They are all heart-warming in the best ways they could. It is then time to say kudos to SNA and this idea to continue to boost the art.
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