Tag: Eko Art Expo

Last Friday, Lagos State set a new record in becoming the first state to organise an art expo with the trappings of a world class show. Opened at the Expo Hall, Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos the maiden Rasheed Gbadamosi Eko Art Expo, which ran till last Sunday, attracted leading art connoisseurs, curators, artists and enthusiasts who described it as the beginning of a movement within the creative sector.
To Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, the expo is “the beginning of an enduring relationship with the arts sector and the arts intelligentsia that make this sector such an important partner in the development of our state as Africa’s largest, busiest and perhaps most lucrative creative hub”.
He said that the government had commissioned several artists to decorate various parts of the state with landmark installations, which are in addition to the six art theatres that will open across the state before the end of the year.
He disclosed that very soon and with opportunities of making the expo an annual creative festivity, Lagos will indeed be a state with a vibrant artistic soul.
“Yet, this exposition shall immortalise the name of Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi, an illustrious Lagos man, who served the state till the very end with his talent and passion for the arts and with his time and resources. There can be no better way to honour such a rare breed than to institute an annual arts fiesta in his memory.
‘’Today’s event, however, bears more significance. It is the first event of the New Year to remind the world that this year is special to us and that art will be an integral component of the golden jubilee anniversary of the state. Our administration believes that no nation or state can achieve its full potential without adequate attention to matters of heritage and culture or without due encouragement for the teeming youthful population that sees and seeks opportunities in the creative industries.
‘’This is why we are keenly interested in further development of our creative talents; in providing them with support and opportunities to be engaged; in helping to create platforms such as today’s to excel and compete globally, and in showing to the world that Lagos is more than ready to announce its arrival as the continent’s frontline destination of choice that gives arts and culture their due,” he said.
Governor Ambode said the art expo was organised to appreciate the great talents that abound in the state, honour the late Rasheed Gbadamosi, who was until his death co-chairman of Lagos at 50 Planning Committee, and to demonstrate that the state intervention in the creative sector does not exclude the visual art.
According to him, creativity is the most valuable asset in any progressive society, and progressive governments must embrace creativity. “We are committed, and we must reward contributors of creative ideas with incentives,” he added.
Minister of Information and Culture Alhaji Lai Mohammed described Governor Ambode as the most passionate governor about the creative industry, and that he has demonstrated it by enhancing security in the state, first governor to build a theatre in the state, renovating and rehabilitating National Theatre main hall, and Cinema Hall 1 and 2, as well as mid-wiving the building of a new museum for the country. He said Governor Ambode is creating the infrastructure that have been missing and thus bringing creative industry from back water to the front burner.
“By that I will be the only minister who will leave National Theatre better than he met it…He has been able to change the perception of people about creative industry. He has started a great movement,” he noted.
The minister however, lamented that he discovered systemic failure and lack of enforcement to protect intellectual properties when he assumed office. These, he said, have discouraged entrepreneurs and artists.
“We found out there was no data to build with, we don’t know the value of the industry and no link between the town and gown. There cannot be development in the creative industry without subsidy, mentoring and endowment,” he said, noting that about 300 artists will get grants to grow in the art.
According to him, Nigeria’s new oil is in the creative industry, which prevents rural-urban drift.
Prince Yemisi Shyllon also commended Governor Ambode saying ‘you have started a movement unconsciously. Everything done here today is what Gbadamosi stood for. ..If Lagos invest in creativity, it has the ability of generating millions of tourists and dollars.’
The expo is a good spread and mix of paintings, sculptures and photographs of old and new Lagos. The expansive hall of the Expo Conference Centre provided good ambience for the collections that are in three major sections; galleries, students section and photography (Dey Your Lane). But on the walls of the walkway to the hall are archival photographs of Lagos showing landmark places. These were mounted by the Lagos State Records and Archive Bureau.
Complementing these is Dey Your Lane, a collection of old and new photographs of Lagos that mirrors the energies and creativity of Lagosians, huge density and multicultural nature of the city as well as landmarks places such as Balogun market and Oshodi market. This collection was first exhibited in Belgium last year and curated by Azu Nwagbogu of African Artists Foundation (AAF)who described the event as unique. “The Belgium organisers that hosted Dey Your Lane were inspired by the energies and creativity in the photographs on Lagos. And it served as a bridge and an opportunity to tell our stories,” he noted.
Among the guests that attended the opening ceremony of the expo were Senator Solomon Adeola, former Governor of Ogun State Aremu Segun Osoba, Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Steve Ayorinde, Mrs. Nike Okundaye, Mrs Sandra Mbanefo Obiago, Mrs Bolanle Austin-Peters, Kolade Oshinowo, Olu Jacobs, Habib Fashinro and Ejiro Onobrakpeya.
No fewer than 13 galleries featured contemporary artworks by emerging, established and up and coming artists. The galleries included SMO contemporary Arts, Rele Art Gallery, Nike Art Gallery, Henry Moweta, Mydrim Gallery, Pallette Art Gallery. Also on display were works by Polly Alakija, a popular artist with a strong interest in community service.
Curator of the expo, Mrs Sinmi Adesanya, praised the efforts of Lagos State government in putting together the first art expo of this magnitude, adding that the vision of artists’ community having an art museum would soon come to reality. The event was not all about visual art as impressive poetry and dance performances were presented by Titi Sonuga, Akeem Lasisi and Iwa Lewa. While Lasisi presented a poem His signature is bold and rare to eulogise the late Gbadamosi, Sonuga offered a lyrical poem on Sisi Eko.