Over eighty artists will participate at the 10th edition of October Rain slated to hold at the National Museum, Onikan, Lagos from October 28 through November 6. The annual arts exhibition will celebrate ‘Lagos@50’ and the late SNA’s art patron, Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi.
Speaking to the press on behalf of the Chairman, Dotun Alabi, the Chairman of the Society of Nigerian Artists, Lagos, the 2017 October Rain Planning Committee, Yusuf Durodola, said ‘October Rain’ would feature a variety of artworks ranging from painting, sculpture, ceramics, textile to mixed media. Conceptual works including performances, cartoons, experimental arts and drawings would also be presented at the exhibition, Durodola added.
“This edition which is the 10th edition is centred to celebrate Lagos at 50 because this is the year of Lagos at 50 and at the same time we are dedicating it to the loving memory of our great man, art collector, art lover, Late chief Rasheed Gbadamosi,” he said.
“Apart from that, we have different stratification in the society, and this event has been able to cover for all members of the stratification, we have participants from the legend members like Yusuf Grillo, Abayomi Barber among others, then to the master members then to the upcoming ones. Hence we have some of our emerging artists like Samuel Olawuyi participating at the exhibition.”
Commenting on the late art Patron, SNA treasurer, Idowu Sonaya, a sculptor, said Gbadamosi’s immense contributions to Nigerian art necessitated the society to honour him with this year’s exhibition.
“My own work is a sculptural piece,” Sonaya said.
“It depicts the portraiture of Gbadamosi. I did it as a tribute to him because of his immerse contributions to Nigerian art. He is one of the few patrons that was there for Nigerian artists even before the western world started to patronise us. They were been there encouraging the artists through their patronage. We think it a good thing that the SNA Lagos recognises this and we are paying tribute to him through this exhibition.”
Artists in the Legend category of the exhibition include Yusuf Grillo, Abayomi Barber, Bruce Onobrakpeya, Banjo Fasuyi, Dele Jegede, Jerome Elaiho, Bisi Faleke, Nike Okundaye and Kolade Oshinowo.
Artists on the master’s strata are; Kunle Filani, Kunle Adeyemi, Olu Ajayi, Abiodun Olaku, Bunmi Babatunde, Edosa Ogiugo, Mufu Onifade, Hamid Ibrahim, Jelili Atiku, Rukeme Noserime, Sam Ovraiti, Olu Spencer, Dotun Alabi, Stella Awoh, Biodun Kafaru and Aimufia Osagie.
While Nzennaya Barry, Olawuyi Samuel, Kehinde Badmus, Anthonia Nneji and Ogunkunle Niyi are some of the emerging artists that would feature at the exhibition.