Arts as a tool for creative expression and advocacy was highlighted when 50 women artists exhibited 150 works under the auspices of the Female Artists Association of Nigeria (FEAAN). It was at the Nike Art Gallery, Lagos. Their works called attention to the plight of women and the girl-child, reports ASHIAT ABDULLAHI.
Fifty artists from across the country stepped out in style at an all-women art exhibition tagged: Press for progress: Women move on in Lagos.
It was, indeed, a show of the creative depth and passion for the womenfolk and humanity as the artists – all women – under the aegis of the Female Artists Association of Nigeria (FEAAN) – held its yearly exhibition to mark this year’s International World Women’s Day.
With 150 artworks focusing on the plights of women and the girl-child, diverse rights issues and better infrastructure for the citizenry, the artists held guests spellbound with their displays at the Nike Arts Gallery in Lagos.
The exhibition drew dignitaries from all walks of life and the diplomatic community, including the United States Consul-General, F. John Bray.
The display of talents and the issues each work raised are noteworthy, according to Bray. He advised more women to borrow a leaf from the exhibiting artists by expressing themselves through their talents, urging them to move on, despite the challenges, until the goal of establishing parity between men and women is achieved.
FEAAN National President, Lady Ngozi Akande said the achievement of gender parity had been targeted to take place in 3035. She, therefore, urged women to take bold steps in their chosen fields to bring about development of humanity by pressing for progress, to ensure that gender equality is achievemed earlier than expected. while observing that “arts is an effective tools in achieving it”.
“The message of most of the artworks on display is that women should be treated fairly. We should be given the opportunity to do whatever we desire in terms of ambitions because we find out that even in offices, if you aspire to go higher, they try to bring you down simply because you are female,” she said.
She noted that painting was one of the works believed not to be for women. For this reason, Akande, also the deputy director, National Council for Arts and Culture, said FEAAN was bent on encouraging talented women to use their arts as tools of self-expression and advocacy.
“Art is life and it tells story of everyday life. Therefore, each artwork challenges the woman to achieve whatever she dreams without any hindrance,” she said.
Former FEAAN President Prof Bridget O. Nwanze said not only were the works meant to voice out for equality, they highlightedon himon himon himon himon himon him other global socio-cultural themes.
“From the state of women being happy and parity for women with those who want women to move on without holding back, the works are self-expressive of global and national concerns. It is most interesting to have women from different parts of the country come together and telling the story that affect the nation and womanhood through their arts. And I am proud to be one of those making bold statements on behalf of women all over the world. Needless to say that projects as this that a geared towards fostering the rights of women need more funding,” she said.
The exhibiting artists included: Prof Nwanze of the University of Port Harcourt, Akande, Dr. Rita Edumchieke Ubah, founder of the Nike Art Gallery, Madam Nike Monica Okundaye, Hafsat Kabir-Zayyanu, Chinze Ojobo, Ayoola Omovo, Millicent Okocha, Clara Aden, Abisola Gbadamosi, Alice Apeyuan, Amarachi Odimba, Evelyn Osagie of The Nation newspaper, and Chinyere Odinukwe.
Others were Oluchi Zom, Anila Adnan, Ann Agba, Marian Oyawoye, Isioma Dogo, Ayakuriaa Lawrence, Fatima Mesheila, Oby Uzo, Amarachi Odimgba, Doofan Kwaghool, Abigail Nnaji, Hope Disery. Katurag Chinyio, Chinyere Ibenye, Mshelia Fatima Silas, Doofan Kwaghool, Primrose Ochuba, Naomi Oladipo, Obiageli Uzu and Tabitha Odigili, among others.
Most of the works express diverse opinions on problem faced by women – ranging from superiority and inferiority complex, individual relationship, survival, propagation of togetherness to display of women strength and beauty, among others. Some of the titles include: engrossed, girl not bride together, question on asked, women in technology, survival, ignite your passion and among others.
On her arts work, Akande explained that just like the theme charged women to be bold enough to come out and press for their passion no matter their condition, her works – Ignite your passion and survival are saying same, adding that both focus on the plights of women.
Like Akande, Aden’s work was equally interesting. There is one on early child marriage faced by the girl-child (girl not bride) and another on women in technology. In the arts work, one could see a young girl in a wedding ciara with school uniform instead of a wedding gown, and books-in-hand instead of wedding bouquet.
“This work encourages parent to allow every girl child the opportunity to be the master of their lives and not force into early marriages. I also noticed that in ICT companies, men dominate most of the higher position and any females that plan to push their profession to the next level her are not encouraged but subjected. So I believe women in ICT need a push and a platform for their empowerment because I believe women are fast learner and resourceful,” Aden said.
Also, Evelyn’s pictorial pieces, which are part of her art to the street project, entitled: Together series, called for peace and unity in the country. While calling for all hands to be on deck, she noted that women have a greater role to play in the fight for unity and parity. “Women should stand together to accomplished their missions. My art and those of other women artists are saying to Nigerians, especially the womenfolk, need to stand strong together and be our brother’s keeper to ensure a better Nigeria. The works are part of my solo-travelling exhibition, entitled “Together series”, held last February 24. You would agree with me that there is an outcry for peace in the land. And I am saying through my artworks that to achieve the peaceful and great nation of our dreams we need to work and stand together,” she said.
This year’s edition featured a male guest artist, Mr Osarentin Henry, an Abuja-based artist. His art piece entitled: Efi reflects on the importance of women as the birth of the nation and the nation pride. According to him, “whatever we do, we should always attach that importance to them because women should be consider the way they are as fragile being, we should embrace their gender, consider them before anything.”
His other work, The bride focuses on the gorgeousness of African women through their looks, costumes, fabrics, their colour radiance and others shows how delicate and important they are.
In her display of arts, Ekpetorson Elizabeth Chioman explained the emotional condition of women in her work titled: Questions unasked: “There are lots of thought that are not expressed but go on in our mind and we carry it around that screaming for self-expression. At times people can read them on our faces and at other times they can’t – that stand for the unasked question that you just go on and find answer yourself without really asking anybody.”
Her second work, Engrossed was inspired by human activities and youth obsession to social media leading to their lack of focus and not aiming for leadership position and the wrongful use of the medium, according to her.
“I notice that people just keep spreading rumour online without proper verification and instead of using the internet as a tool to learn and master their craft, but they are using it wrongly. Also I notice that anytime I try to talk to my friend, they are so engrossed with their phone and this was one of the things that inspire my work” she said.