Beginning from the 19th of this month, some Nigerian contemporary artists would be showcasing their works at the famous Lacey Contemporary Art Gallery in London. Speaking to the Nation on the processes leading to the event, the president of Guild of Professional Fine Artists of Nigeria (PFA) Abraham Uyovbisere, explained that even though this is the third edition of the show, the whole essence of the outing is meant to use the Nigerian contemporary art to reach out to the world.
With the theme of the exhibition as Transcending Boundaries 2015, the idea is to let the artists use the platform to square it out with their contemporaries in other parts of the world. Uyovbisere said: “As you know, every year, the guild puts up an exhibition in London. It is usually packaged and curated by our dealer in England. What we are doing is to dwell extensively on professionalism in order to give the best we have to the world.”
This is why the likes of Dr. Bruce Onobrakpeya, Kolade Osinowo, Bunmi Babatunde, Fidelis Odogwu and such other great Nigerian artists are involved in this great show. With over 34 works of different genres of the visual art, it is expected that the two week event would afford both the older and younger Nigerian artists the opportunity to appreciate the whole beauty and importance of the exhibition.
In this regard, Uyovbisere said: “It is to use this medium to increase the level of awareness concerning most of our contemporary art works. It is an opportunity for us to venture out, looking at the global stage. People who truly appreciate the work of art would view the works, then key in, because as you know, the world is a global village. So, whatever other artists are doing should not be cut off from what we are also doing.”
The president of the guild re-emphasised that the reason behind the formation of the artists guild in Nigeria is to afford professional studio artists the opportunity to speak with one voice. “This is purely for studio artists with not less than seven years of practice. We made it so in order to ensure that members are truly committed to the ideals of studio practice and tenets. So, by the time we use the exhibition to extend the aesthetics of our art to Europe, America and beyond, we will be much more appreciated. In this way, both our local and international collectors will be involved” he said.
By the time the exhibition would be winding up on May 11, it is expected that most of the paintings, sculptures and other installations would have created the necessary impact in the minds of art lovers and collectors.