Vast and rich, Nigeria offers abundance as October Rain showcases the country’s centenary in arts, reports Joe Agbro Jr.
To mark centenary in many clime is a memorable thing. A century after amalgamation of Nigeria by the British government in 1914, different events have celebrated the occasion. And penultimate Saturday, ‘October Rain’, an annual exhibition organised by the Society of Nigerian Artists (SNA), Lagos State, paid tribute to Nigeria’s centenary
At the opening at Nike Art Centre, Lagos, the ground floor of the Nike Art Centre was a plethora of colours, forms, and shapes as 70 artists under the aegis of the Society of Nigerian Artists, Lagos State exhibited 132 artworks.
The potpourri of works – mixed media, prints, installation, sculpture, ceramics – featured different nuances of Nigeria and Nigerian life as represented by the artists. Beadworks, paintings, crafts, and photography were all on display. A look round the exhibits hints at theNigerianese of the gathering as various works in varying degrees reveal Nigeria and the Nigerian identity.
Currently, politics is in the air and politicians are in full mode of canvassing for votes. As 2015 elections are round the corner, the doings of politicians in different grab for votes is exposed. In his painting titled Oro Sunukun (Deep Issue), SaheedAdelakun depicts two men – one offering his head in exchange for naira notes. The message is direct – you die when you sell your votes.
And going into a peculiar form of mechanical art is kinetic artist BiodunBadmus. His work titled ‘Greetings, Not Fight’ combines mechanical designs creatively such that the three Eyo masquerades sculpted in metal can dance and jiggle to music also produced by the box, all at the flick of a switch.
This year’s edition, the 16th in the series has as its theme, ‘The Centenary, Nigeria @ 100.’ And exhibiting alongside advanced artists like Bruce Onabrakpeya, Kolade Osinowo, and Kunle Filani were young artists who recently joined the Society. Other participating artists included Olojo Kazeem, Ofodile Okanume, UgbedeojoAtaboh, Funmi Opanubi Alasholuyi, Kunle Adeyemi, and Uche Nwosu.
October Rain offers young artists an opportunity to exhibit alongside more and very experienced artists. Mr Hasib Moukarim, the managing director of Nigeria Gas and Steel Limited and chairman of the opening ceremony, also noted the importance of mentorship for sustenance of arts and culture.
“Various landmark events have characterised Nigeria over the past 100 years,” said Moukarim. According to him, these “include experience in the area of independence, achievement in the area of economic development, sports, and most importantly a nation of happy people despite various challenges. Nigerian art on the other hand has become an iconic symbol for excellence, both its traditional, modern and contemporary art forms. They have received universal acceptance.”
Moukarim, a special guest at the event, noted that artists who made the Esie Soapstone works, Benin Bronze works, IgboUkwu arts were precursors to contemporary Nigerian art forms while praising the path blazing examples of artists such as Aina Onabolu, Rufus Ogundele, Twins Seven Seven, Bruce Onabrakpeya, Kolade Osinowo and Abayomi Barber. He also noted the vibrancy and advancement of contemporary Nigerian artists of which he listed the likes of Abiodun Olaku, Sam Ovraiti, Uche James Iroha, Oliver Enwonwu, Peju Alatishe, Olu Ajayi, and others.
According to him, “Established Nigerian artists have drawn a great deal of interest in not just Nigerian but African arts as a whole. And their successes can be measured by the quality of their works, the rush to acquire them, the prices they command at auctions, and of course depth of its composition and expressive colours. Today’s contemporary Nigerian artists have also continued to expand the deep and rich culture of the nation.”
A young artist exhibiting is Tega Akpokona. However, looking at his works, one may not easily know that he is just about three years out of university. “Many people have told me that my works are advanced,” said Akpokona, a 2011 fine arts graduate from the University of Benin. He did a salon at Abuja in 2013 and based in Lagos.
His work, ‘Sober Susurration’ captures beggars in their elements. Though not peculiar to Nigeria, begging in Nigeria can be seen virtually in every part of the country. The piece, according to the artist, is about the indigent people and the painting is just one in a series.
“I started this documentary on their lives,” he said. “They are people that you will see and you probably won’t take a second glance at. That is the dilemma of artists. You are confined to aesthetics; you have to make it beautiful. I tried to capture them in their innate sober state. I’m trying to portray what they are thinking at that particular point in time. I can’t un-see some things. I have the talents to express what I see visually. I’m sensitive to things like that.”
He also exhibited another painting, a landscape he titled ‘Nostalgia’, which captured the rural scenery of Auchi, a city in Edo.
Styles also seem to be catching on and when Mufu Onifade started a painting style he dubbed Araism some years ago, many pundits agreed it was unique. However, Araism seems to be brimming in some younger Nigerian artists, one of whom is IsiavweUfouma.
“I like Araism and I have been following it,” said Isiavwe who also teaches fine art at Neander International School, Epe. His depiction of Eyo, uses Araism but the wavy patterns synonymous with Onifade’s movement is patterned around forms of circles.
He also exhibited a bright portrait of a young girl holding a bowl to her mouth which he titled, ‘Greatness would manifest.’
Like a connexion, this year’s October Rain attracted more school students. Earlier, Dotun Alabi, Chairman of the Lagos SNA had sounded that this year’s October Rain would feature workshops for students. And about 15 schools including Caleb International School and Chrisland Schools turned up for that between Monday and Wednesday.
Also members of the public would have a chance to vote on the winning works.
“We will allow the public to participate in a voting session to choose the work of their choice,” he said, “based on their connection and appeal to the works on display with guiding elements and principles. During the Gala Night, there will be an award and prize for the outstanding work.”
By Wednesday, Alabi said attendance was going on well.
“We’ve sold a couple of works. And the students have made the exhibition lively with their drawings and their contributions. Most people have said it is the best October Rain that they have ever witnessed,” said the elated Chairman.
