It was a rare meeting of great minds in Nigeria’s creative industry. The brief interaction between the duo centered on mentorship, learning and unlearning to grow the industry. And the setting was the Lagos studio and home of legendary master printmaker and painter, Prof Bruce Onobrakpeya, when he recently hosted multi-talented medical doctor and visual artist, Dr. Fola David. Dr. Davisrecently broke Guinness world record with his giant artwork, titled Unity in Diversity.
Speaking at the reception, founder Bruce Onobrakpeya Foundation (BOF), Prof Bruce Onobrakpeya tasked young Nigerian artists to learn, unlearn and relearn by creating appetite for continuous education, training, mentorship in order to make meaningful impact in the industry. He said without these, Nigeria’s artistic values will diminish and stagnate. He urged key stakeholders in the industry to always support the artists by providing the necessary resources for the promotion of cultural and economic activities.
Dr. David’s Unity in Diversity, measures 1,150 square meters, surpassing the previous record. This monumental piece celebrates national unity and landmarks, capturing widespread acclaim and inspiration. His painting has surpassed the previous record of 629.98 square meters held by Ravi Soni from India.
“For instance, Olympic athletes participate, win or lose, then prepare for the next games. The academy, informal education, universities, mentors, philanthropists, and government should support artists, providing necessary resources to promote cultural and economic progress. Firstly, your Guinness World Records achievement has elevated Nigeria, making us proud as an independent nation in a global village.
“To be part of this village, one must make substantial contributions, which your recognition has done. Congratulations. I encourage you to continue, especially with your academy to nurture talents and make Nigeria contributive to world civilization. What you’ve done brings joy; thank you. Continue, and we pray for your long life,” he said.
Dr. David who presented Prof Onobrakpeya with a portrait painting recalled what inspired him to paint the work, saying he had wanted to do it in 2015.
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He disclosed that his team travelled to most state capitals to have first-hand experience of their cultures, which really cemented the entire idea.
“I wanted to do the drawing because I wanted to challenge myself as an artist. I felt like, what else can I do with what I am able to do? And it was the world record that came up. So, for nine years, I tried to do this. The major challenge was the funding required to do it as the record is a very expensive one. Also challenging is getting venue for the long canvas and the materials. So, finally we got the chance to do it last year.
“We got the go-ahead to do it. So we did it this year. And what inspired me on why I did the record was I wanted something that would be significant to everybody as an artist. I wanted to do something that was about the direction of impact, not just the show of prowess. Not just something that would inspire people to greatness, but something that would touch the lives and the hearts of every Nigerian. And the biggest issue we have in Nigeria is unity. Most people don’t know it but, you see the political issues, the economic issues that we have cannot be solved if we are not unified.
“And that’s the pillar. If we don’t have that, if you solve the economic problem of Nigeria today, it will crumble because there is no backbone. And if we can all see each other as Nigerians and not, as different ethnic persons, then the development truly begins to happen. And it will happen on a very strong backbone.
“And you see the drawing is not something that I expected was going to change the landscape of the tribalism in Nigeria immediately. But, I wanted it to serve as a marker, as an icon. The drawing is going to last forever and it’s not going to be destroyed or anything like that.
So over the years, the message should keep coming out from that particular attempt, from that particular creation. And that’s why the drawing is tied to unity and diversity; a celebration of Nigeria’s culture,” he added.
Continuing, Dr. David said: “To remind people that we are stronger because of our diversity and not something that should divide us. How did you translate all these ideas? Which one you uncovered? So, the first thing I did was to travel across the country. I traveled to about 16 states of Nigeria to experience our culture.
“I wanted to know that, okay, I want to be a powerhouse of this culture before I say I am worthy of depicting them on the largest drawing in the world.”
