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Tag: LIMCAF

  • LIMCAF rewards resilience as a nation breathes again

    LIMCAF rewards resilience as a nation breathes again

    Even before the Obi of Onitsha, Nnaemeka Alfred Ugochukwu Achebe (Agbogidi), took the stage — flanked by a retinue of dignitaries that included Barbara Kalu, Executive Vice President at Argus Media — the air inside Enugu’s Institute of Management and Technology International Conference Centre felt almost solid: thick with expectation and the low hum of speculation. Artists, collectors, patrons, sponsors, and hangers-on all waited with bated breath for the overall winner to be announced.

    The Obi, regal and unhurried, began to announce the winner — then paused, letting the suspense linger a heartbeat longer. And then it came: Segun Victor Owolabi. The hall erupted — applause breaking first like a gasp of relief, then swelling into a jubilant roar. LIMCAF — the Life In My City Art Festival, Nigeria’s largest and most enduring art event — had found its next golden child.

    The Elder K.U. Kalu Prize for Young Artist of the Year, formerly known as the Overall Winner’s Prize, comes with a cash award of $2,000. But the real prize was the work itself: Owolabi’s textile piece, Entanglement: Sad Generation with Happy Faces — witty, haunting, and heartbreakingly familiar.

    Those smiling faces, stitched from twitchy threads, grin through invisible cracks. It is a piece about pretense — about laughing when one would rather not (reminiscent of Fela Kuti’s legendary Sufferin’ and Smilin) — about holding it together in a country where irony has become a survival instinct. Entanglement hits like a punch, even as the viewer cannot look away from its grin — smart, tragic, and painfully of the moment.

    Now in its 18th year, LIMCAF is something of a miracle in a country where most art initiatives barely survive their first press release. Founded in 2007 by Chief Robert Orji, with support from Rocana Nigeria Limited and the French cultural network, it has evolved from a scrappy regional show into a national pilgrimage for painters, sculptors, and digital dreamers. By 2012, it became a registered non-profit — which, in Nigerian terms, means it outlived the politics that often bury good ideas.

    This year’s theme — Can We Breathe? — could hardly have been more apt. It hovered over the exhibition like a question no one dared to answer. Curator Erasmus Onyishi sifted through more than 500 entries, shaping the noise into a slow crescendo of rage, reflection, and reluctant hope. LIMCAF exhibitions are rarely smooth-sailing affairs, but they always end up exciting — throbbing with feeling and defiance.

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    Among this year’s prize-winners, Abubakar Mohammed from Zaria took the Chinelo Chime Prize for Photography with a work that felt like a still-life of silence. Patricia Ikel Bello from Port Harcourt won Best Painting/Mixed Media for something tender and unashamedly beautiful — a rarity in an age of irony. Mba Ukemba’s Man stood like a bronze prayer, while Ipa Anyaole’s Voices Unheard dragged the digital into the confessional.

    And amid the power flickers and applause, other names — Prince David Kembukem, Jesse Kobol — joined the roll of Nigeria’s fast-rising talents.

    The top six finalists, including Owolabi, will embark on a fully funded residency at the Dakar Biennale — a bigger stage that will further expose them to the contemporary art world. For many, it will be their first flight out of Nigeria — a literal and metaphorical leap every young artist dreams about.

    What is remarkable about LIMCAF isn’t just that it endures, but that it keeps reinventing itself. If it has survived recessions, pandemics, and bureaucratic ambushes, it is because it is rooted in community. Past winners return as mentors; old rivals exchange banter after the show.

    And Enugu itself deserves a thumbs up. The city has art in its bones — from the lingering ghost of Uche Okeke to the restless pulse of its new generation. There is something in its mix of history and humidity that keeps creativity fevered and alive. LIMCAF belongs here.

    When Owolabi was finally borne up to the stage in the arms of his cheering colleagues, he looked dazed — as though he had just been handed both a crown and a burden of expectations from the art community. The applause that greeted him felt larger than one person. It was the sound of recognition, of collective relief — a nation exhaling.

    When the applause faded, what remained was the quiet belief that art here isn’t an escape from life, but a way through it. LIMCAF endures as a kind of controlled chaos — proof that creativity itself is a form of breathing. And for a few bright days every October, Enugu reminds the nation how to breathe again.

  • Emodi is LIMCAF’s jury chair

    Emodi is LIMCAF’s jury chair

    Life In My City Art Festival (LIMCAF)’s Organising Committee has appointed a committee of five eminent artists as jurors and curator of the grand finale exhibition. According to a statement by LIMCAF’s Art Director Dr. Ayo Adewunmi, Dr Anthony Izuchukwu Emodi of Yaba College of Technology, Lagos will serve as chairman of the jury panel. Erasmus Onyishi is curator. 

    Dr. Emodi is an artist with a specialisation as a sculptor. Tonie as he is popularly called, is a native of Aboh in Ndokwa local government area of Delta State. He was born in Agbor in 1963; had his early formative years in the then Mid Western State and East Central State, where he had his primary and secondary school education. Emodi is a Visual Artist with a rich academic background in the Arts.

    Other members are Chinedu Ogakwu (Fsna), Prof. Adele Garkida, Dapo Adeniyi, and  Dr. Nneka Odoh.

     Ogakwu is a distinguished Visual Artist who hails from Southeastern Nigeria, with a rich academic background in the Arts. He studied Painting at the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), where he earned a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Art, specializing in Painting.

    Ogakwu is the founder/CEO of ArtNative Nigeria, and co-owner of Native Stool Nigeria, Gallery of Arts and culture. As such, Chinedu is not only a full-time studio artist but also a significant figure in the Nigerian Art Community. His work deeply explores the intricate dynamics of his environment, cultural heritage and the broader experiences of being both an African and an international artist.

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    Prof Garkida is a leading scholar in Industrial Design, with expertise in Glass Technology and Ceramics. She earned her BSc Industrial Design (Glass Technology) in 1989, MA Ceramics in 1998 and completed her PhD in Glass Technology in 2007 from Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria.  Her PhD research was conducted during her Fulbright Scholarship at Michigan Technological University (2005–2006). She is currently a full Professor in the Department of Glass and Silicate Technology at ABU Zaria. 

    Adeniyi is a well-known writer, culture researcher and consultant as well as a journalist who started his career in radio and television. His first play was broadcast on BBC World Service in 1986 and in 1994 he was a Fellow at Downing College, University of Cambridge. He wrote and directed the film adaptation of Ake, the autobiography of Wole Soyinka and has contributed to literature by translating indigenous fiction to English. He was the Arts and Culture Editor at Daily Times, Lagos for many years and has participated in several international cultural  consortia including those of the World Bank and SADC, Southern African Development Community. He is the publisher, Position African World Review.

    Odoh, painter and fashion designer, has a BA(Ed) in Fine and Applied Arts, an MFA in Painting and a PhD in Art History from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka where she teaches Painting, drawing and Art History.

  • LIMCAF eyes bigger, breathtaking edition

    LIMCAF eyes bigger, breathtaking edition

    For sustaining the tempo of the annual youth-focused art meet since 2007, the Life in My City Art Festival’s organisers deserve special plaudits. This is all the more reason why the recent announcement of the 18th edition of the event, often called by its acronym, LIMCAF, should elicit the interest of the visual arts community. Moreover, its enduring run and staying power despite all challenges are truly remarkable.

    This year’s edition, themed Can We Breathe?, promises a bigger, bolder, and more breathtaking outing than ever, showcasing an incredible array of artistic talent and creativity. Its announcement of over 60 million naira in prizes across various categories will undoubtedly thrill its fans. The festival, which inherently also features a competition, has seen a significant boost in existing prizes, alongside the introduction of new ones.

    Notably, the top prize, now known as the Elder Kalu Young Artist of the Year Prize, has been increased to the naira equivalent of USD 2000. This prestigious award is sponsored by the family of the late Elder Kalu Uke Kalu, former LIMCAF chairman.

    In addition to the top prize, various category prizes are awarded for exceptional entries in visual arts categories, including photography, drawing, digital art, and more. Prizes range from ₦N500,000 to ₦N1 million, with opportunities for sponsorship. Leading these prizes is the Chinelo Chime Prize for Best in Photography, worth N1 million. Category prizes in painting, sculpture, drawing and ceramics follow, each valued at N500,000.

    New category prizes have been introduced, including the Armstrong Agoreyo prize for Best entry in artwork using wastepaper as a medium and the Kanyeyachukwu Tagbo prize for Best entry by a person living with a disability.

    Read Also: LIMCAF: A journey of artistic brilliance

    LIMCAF also offers prizes that allow individuals, families, and organisations to honour notable persons, organisations, or achievements. Current endowments include the Justice Anthony Aniagolu Prize for Originality and the Dr. Pius Okigbo Prize for Technical Proficiency.

    Regional prizes, endowed by individuals, encourage young artists in specific geographic areas to pursue their passion. Current regional prizes include the Mfon Usoro Prize for Best Entry from Uyo Centre and the VinMartins Ilo Prize for Best Entry from Enugu.

    Beyond the cash prizes, LIMCAF offers training opportunities, including residencies and boot camps, to foster artistic growth and empower young artists to operate in the national and international art space. These initiatives provide young artists with the tools and resources they need to succeed in the competitive art world.

    LIMCAF has, meanwhile, expanded its reach, inviting Nigerian artists and foreign artists resident within Nigeria’s borders, aged 35 and below, to participate in its latest edition. This deliberate broadening of eligibility aims to ignite a kaleidoscope of artistic expressions, as diverse voices converge to create a richly layered narrative. Hence, submissions are now open and will be accepted until May 31.

    A nominal entry fee of N5,000 unlocks the opportunity to showcase creative talent. The festival’s theme, Can We Breathe?”, resonates deeply, echoing through the corridors of collective conscience. It challenges artists to confront the suffocating grip of environmental crises, societal constraints, and global inequality. Innovative solutions will emerge as young artists channel their creativity, illuminating a beacon of hope in a world yearning to breathe.

    In its ongoing efforts to reinvent itself, LIMCAF also announced the appointment of new members to its Board of Trustees, including Executive Vice President (Middle East, India Subcontinent and Africa) for Argus Media Ms. Barbara Kalu, the award Winning film maker and multicultural artist and curator of local and international experience Sandra Mbanefo Obiago, and the renowned professor of fine art, curator and scholar of the Department of Fine Art, Ahmadu Bello University. Zaria, Professor Jerry Buhari. These strategic appointments stand it in good stead to drive innovation and expand its portfolio of activities, ultimately enriching the lives of aspiring young artists.

    In line with its inclusive mission, LIMCAF proudly encourages diversity, offering equal participation opportunities for male and female emerging talents nationwide, as well as special prize offerings for females only. In addition, LIMCAF provides training for the younger generation through workshops for primary and secondary school children, particularly those living with disabilities. Over the past couple of years, such workshops have been successfully held in Abuja and Enugu.

  • LIMCAF names jury panel, curator

    LIMCAF names jury panel, curator

    The Organising Committee of Life In My City Art Festival (LIMCAF) has listed members of the jury panel and curator of the festival’s grand finale exhibition.

    A statement from the Art Director, Dr. Ayo Adewunmi, said the list of the jury panel was agreed on after a meeting of the committee in Enugu. This is in keeping with the committee’s policy to protect jury members from possible pressure during the conduct the jury process.

    The members are Prof. Blaise Gundu Gbaden of the Federal University of Lafia, Nasarawa State, as chairman, Prof Gundu Gbaden hails from Benue State, but was born in Ilorin, Kwara State. He attended Primary School in Vom, Plateau State and secondary school at the Boy’s Secondary School, Gindidri also in Plateau State.

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    Prof Babásèhìndé Augustine Ademuleya is an artist, art historian, and art educator. He graduated from Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo with a B.A.Ed. (Fine Arts) degree in 1991 and obtained his M.A. and PhD in African Studies (Visual Arts) from the University of Ibadan in 1997 and 2002 respectively. He joined the Federal College of Education (Tech.) Akoka in 1993, and later moved to Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife in 2004. Also on the jury panel is Obioha Onyebuchim Nwaegbe (Obi Nwaegbe) is a Nigerian multimedia artist with a bachelor’s degree in Painting from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. He is the Founder and Executive Director, Artstier Company Limited, an Art Production and Consulting company based.

    Earlier, the Board of Trustees of the festival has also approved new key appointments into its strategic management team, according to a statement by the Art Director, Dr. Ayo Adewunmi. They appointees are Adaora Oji-Ngwu as Programme Manager, Chichetam John Okoronta as Art Manager of the festival.

    Dr Ayo Adewunmi explained that approval for the new appointments was given at the meeting of the Board a few days ago, noting that  Oji-Ngwu will bring to the position her expertise in fundraising, project management and organizational transformation.

    “With a strong background in business development and strategic partnerships, Adaora has demonstrated the ability to drive LIMCAF on the path for sustainable future growth and deliver impactful solutions across various sectors in accordance with the vision of the Trustees. She joins LIMCAF at a time when the 18-year not-for-profit private charity is expanding its portfolio to include all areas of cultural expression through a demonstrated experience in resource mobilisation, building effective collaborations and managing complex projects, making her a valuable asset to LIMCAF.

    “Oji-Ngwu will naturally work closely with the Board, in developing strong stakeholder relationships within the wider environment to ensure the success of LIMCAF’s programmes and long-term objectives within the culture sector in Nigeria,” he said.

    He disclosed that Okoronta’s appointment followed his effective contributions in the past two years, and will take on new and expanding responsibilities as Manager of the Art Department reporting to the Art Director. “In addition to managing the various aspects of the festival’s art competition, Chichetam, himself a skilled visual artist with broad expertise that includes IT support, graphic design, social media management, and visual arts, will be a key asset in the drive to the future of LIMCAF,” he said.

    Dr Adewunmi hinted that the festival week will begin with children workshop/exhibition from October 10 to 12 at the Alliance Francaise, Enugu, Art and Craft Fair on October 19th at IMT Conference Centre, Enugu, as well as opening of grand finale exhibition. A drawing workshop will hold between October 22 and 23 at IMT Art Dept, Campus 3, Enugu. This will be followed by an interactive session, tours and photo session with top 100 and the media representatives on October 25 and/26 at IMT Conference Centre, Enugu. But, there will the festival lecture October 25 at IMT Conference Centre, while the Award Night holds on October 26 at IMT Conference Centre, Enugu.

  • LIMCAF: A journey of artistic brilliance

    LIMCAF: A journey of artistic brilliance

    • Ijiko’s Decayed decades wins N1.5m

    Eminent personalities and artists converged on the International Conference Centre of the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT) Enugu for the 16th edition of Life in My City Art Festival (LIMCAF) award night. This edition feted upcoming artists, report Assistant Editor (Art), OZOLUA UHAKHEME and DAMIAN DURUIHEOMA.

    The anxiety was high among the contestants. Each one gazed at the ceiling of the hall of the International Conference Centre,  Institute of Management and Technology, Enugu, venue of the award/gala night. 

    But, the artist that eventually won the overall best prize had earlier won the best prize in painting with his work titled Decayed decades. And the winner was Kelvin Ijiko.

    “I got the inspiration from God in my dreams”, an elated Kelvin Ijiko, a participating artist from Lagos Zone, said to journalists after winning N500,000.00 for best painting and mixed media and N1 million for the the grand prize as the overall winner of the Life In My City Art Festival (LIMCAF) 2023 Edition in Enugu.

    His prize was part of the N6 million cash prizes offered to 25 young Nigerians from across the country by LIMCAF at its grand finale penultimate Saturday.

    In what can be described as the longest-lasting pan-Nigerian arts festival, which has remained consistent with its mission since 2007, the likes of Ijiko and other upcoming artists always looked forward to the annual award and gala night of the Life In My City Art Festival (LIMCAF).

    As usual, the 2023 festival saw eminent personalities, artists, family and friends of LIMCAF converged on the International Conference Centre of the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT) Enugu for the 16th edition of LIMCAF award night.

    Since 2007 till date, over 4000 artists have exhibited their works of art at LIMCAF events, with most of them having also moved from local to national and to international levels. Also, within the same period of time, over N19 million has been spent on the prizes by the organisers.

    Interestingly, LIMCAF now holds at an expanded catchment area of 13 cities in the six geopolitical zones of the country including Abuja, Lagos, Abeokuta Ibadan, Benin, Ondo, Zaria, Owerri, Awka, Port Harcourt, Uyo, and Jalingo.

    The festival week was the showcase period for the best from the nationwide regional centre competitions in addition to other special events such as the exhibition of artworks from first-ever workshop for children with disability, as well as works from the workshop for 120 school children and art teachers and the festival lecture.

    So, expectedly, the event chaired by a former Chief of Air Staff, Rear Admiral Allison Madueke (rtd), lived up to its billings as it opened another window for about 110 upcoming artists as their works were displayed to the public and viewed by people from all walks of life.

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    With the theme: Fix It, the preview of the works at the event sponsored by MTN Foundation, according to the Chairman of the seven-man jury, Dr. Ayo Aina, showed a level of improvement in the works as the all artistic trend were well represented at the festival.

    Aina said the festival had,  since inception, been evolving and delivering fresh waves of innovation.

    He noted that the jury’s role was not one of ease as it was a challenging and thoughtful process.

    “The exceptional quality of the artworks and the depth of thought embedded in each piece demanded a meticulous evaluation,” he added.

    In their recommendations, the jury canvassed the segregation of awards within the visual art, specifically differentiating between drawing and painting as distinct fields. The importance of this separation, the jury added, lays in acknowledging the unique skills and media employed by artists in the two categories.

    “Drawing and painting differ significantly in terms of artistic medium, technical expertise, and expression. By creating separate categories, we ensure that artists are acknowledged and rewarded for their mastery of each medium.

    “Furthermore, we propose the merging of categories such as photography, video, digital art, and graphics. These fields share common technological tools and contemporary themes, making their consolidation a practical step to reduce redundancy and streamline the judging process.

    “At the same time, we recommend preserving individual recognition for fields like ceramics, textile, sculpture, and installation. These categories possess their own unique principles, materials, and techniques, deserving of individual acknowledgment.

    “The exhibitions should have a future through careful planning to move the past exhibits in the collection of LIMCAF to majors cities like Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, and other cities as may be desired,” it noted.

    Aina also said the jury had taken time and efforts to go through the works and given their dispassionate judgment. He added: “We are commending LIMCAF for instituting Women and People Living with Disability categories.”

    It was also a night of entertainment as the Akalaka Dance Group entertained guests with various dance steps and performances. There was a special rendition by a poet, Dike Chikwuemerije.

    This year’s festival featured regional exhibitions, 550 entries were received from 15 centres in Nigeria while 110 made it to vie for the 25 prizes with N1 million as the grand prize. This was a 100 per cent increase from the overall best prizes of N500,000 in previous years.

    Of the 110 selected works that made it to the finals, 25 were selected as winners in various categories with many consolation prizes.

    A consolation prize of N50,000 as well as endowment prizes between N300,000 and N200,000 were given to some of the artists that made it to the finals.

    In the major categories; Pricilla Orina won the best textile art/fashion and got N500,000; Ebenezer Adebayo won best graphic and digital photography and got N500,000; Ezechi Nwokeocha won best drawing and got N500,000 and Philip Audu won best ceramics and got N500,000 among others. The six winners came from the various geopolitical zones of the country and will proceed to Dakar, Senegal to participate in international arts festival.

    Kelvin Ijigo, whose painting mixed media titled “Decayed Decades” won the overall winner of the  2023 LIMCAF, carting home N1, 000,000 cash prize.

    For Ijiko, it was a dream come true. His ultimate dream was to emerge as the overall winner of the LIMCAF competition.

    He told journalists: “I got the inspiration from God in my dream and immediately after waking up I started working on it physically and bringing it to reality. Today, God has crowned my efforts with success”.

    He thanked God, LIMCAF organizers and sponsors of the event for providing him a national platform to showcase his talent.

    Earlier, LIMCAF Patron and Obi-of-Onitsha Igwe Alfred Achebe urged all tiers of governments to invest in youths’ creativity and talents to give them a sense of belonging and promote creativity, industry and productivity.

    Achebe noted that the youths should be supported in the areas of arts, creativity and entertainment as they are already doing well in both nationally and internationally space and for them to “be the best in the world.”

    He also urged Nigerian youths to be focused and keep on pursuing positive ideals, adding: “You must always bring out that creativity and originality of your work for it to be better appreciated”.

    “For our youths to do better and continue to do well in the arts, creativity and entertainment; individuals, corporate bodies and most especially governments at various levels must encourage them both financially and morally.

    “We have to provide needed support, guidance and mentorship for them to be great and make us proud,” Achebe, who is also the Patron of LIMCAF, said.

    The Obi of myOnitsha paid glowing tribute to Chairman Board of Trustees of LIMCAF the late .Elder Kalu.U. Kalu as well as MTN Foundation, Ford Foundation and others for sponsoring and sustaining the festival and “making it a global brand”.

    Chairman of MTN Foundation, Mr Dennis Okoro said that the telecommunication giant (MTN) was sponsoring the festival as part of its civic social responsibility to support youths in the country and bring out the best in them.

    According to him,  LIMCAF has carved a dominant niche and charted a unique path of growth from the grassroots for the development of contemporary art and the empowerment of the youth of Nigeria through art.

    Okoro assured that the foundation would continue to sponsor the festival, adding that “it is good we catch-them-young and direct their mindsets to positive ideals and productivity”.

    “In MTN Foundation, our mandate focuses on education, health and human empowerment; and the sponsorship of this event is part of the educational focus of the foundation,” Okoro, who is also a teacher, said.

    Also, Mr. Dabesaki Mac-Ikemenjima, representative of Ford Foundation, lauded the LIMCAF for organizing the event and “being constant and intentional in integrating female artists and People Living with Disability into the festival”.

    Mac-Ikemenjima said that the Ford Foundation would continue to support the LIMCAF art festival for many more years to come.

    The Chairman of the event, Rear Admiral Allison Madueke (retired), said that LIMCAF had done noble in providing a platform to engage over 100 youths in the country and providing a focus to their lives.

    Madueke also called on governments to make investing in youths a top priority, which would enhance their future and create great prospects for them.

  • At LIMCAF, artists vie for N6 million prizes

    At LIMCAF, artists vie for N6 million prizes

    This year’s Life in My City Art Festival (LIMCAF), Enugu is offering over six million naira cash prizes to 25 young Nigerians from across the country, including an overall prize of ¦ 1 million. The festival, which entered its grand finale on Saturday, is in its 17th year as Nigeria’s biggest and longest running youth art event.

    A statement by Executive Director LIMCAF, Mr. Kevin Ejiofor said that about 600 artworks were received for the competition from across the country, out of which the top 100 best works will feature in the grand finale exhibition on Saturday, 21st October at the International Conference Centre, IMT, Independence Layout, Enugu at 5pm.

    According to LIMCAF Art Director Dr. Ayo Adewunmi, in 17 years, LIMCAF has carved a dominant niche and charted a unique path of growth from the grassroots for the development of contemporary art and the empowerment of the youth of Nigeria through art.

    Dr. Adewunmi noted that LIMCAF now holds in an expanded catchment area of 13 cities located in all the six geopolitical zones of the country including Abuja, Lagos, Abeokuta Ibadan, Benin, Ondo, Zaria, Owerri, Awka, Port Harcourt, Uyo, and Jalingo.

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    The festival week is the showcase period for the best from the nationwide regional centre competitions in addition to other special events such as the exhibition of artworks from first ever workshop for children with disability, as well as works from the workshop for 120 school children and art teachers, the festival lecture, and the Dike Chukwumerije Show (man-made gods), on Friday, October27th.

    According to Dr. Ayo Adewunmi “This year we have expanded the scope of awards by introducing new prizes, such as the special awards for young female artistes and selected physically challenged persons.” He appealed to all art lovers and culture enthusiasts to attend the opening ceremony and the award night because, in his words, “It’s going to be an exciting period, an opportunity to view and appreciate art from the Top 100 young artistes in Nigeria, as well as get affordable souvenirs from the maiden Art & Craft Fair introduced this year.”

    The Chairman LIMCAF 2023 award night is Admiral Allison Madueke, former Chief of Naval Staff and former Military Governor or old Anambra and old Imo States. Other dignitaries expected include Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, His Majesty, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, Obi of Onitsha and Dr. John Momoh, Chairman of Channels Media Group.

  • LIMCAF appoints Okafor curator

    LIMCAF appoints Okafor curator

    Life In My City Art Festival (LIMCAF) has appointed Amarachi Okafor as its first professionally trained Nigerian female curator for this year’s festival. She joins the mix of art scholars and professionals who help in various capacities to support the objectives of LIMCAF.

    The first female curator was Ms Sieglinde Oehler, a German national then working in Enugu with the German Leprosy and Tuberculosis Relief Initiative (LTR). According to a statement by the festival organisers, Okafor will curate the grand finale exhibition holding between October 21 and 28 at the Institute of Management and Technology, Enugu. Of the total entries of 567, 111 works have been selected from the first and second stages of the exhibitions in 13 Regional Centres across the country. 

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    Okafor’s unique art practice is both international and very much rooted in the local. She works from Orie Studio, an art production and research space she founded, in Abuja. She has a BA (Painting), 2002; MFA (Sculpture), 2006 (both from University of Nigeria Nsukka); and MA in Curatorial Practice, 2012 from Falmouth University, Cornwall, UK earning the Art Department’s internship scholarship upon graduation. She was a recipient of the Unesco Aschberg artists’ award in 2007- leading to a residency at Lademoen Kustnerverksteder (LKV) in Trondheim Norway as well the Commonwealth Foundation Commonwealth Connections recipient in 2009. She has also been granted residencies to Nkd – Norway and to Popopstudios, Nassau- Bahamas.

    An acclaimed Nigerian painter, muralist and multimedia artist Ayo Aina is chair of the LIMCAF 2023 national jury panel. He studied painting at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, graduating as the best student in fine arts, and with the Nigerian Art Council Award in 1990, and MFA in 1996. For over three decades, he has practiced full-time, and participated in several exhibitions in Nigeria, UK, Italy and Dubai, and also in the Dakar Biennale.

    Other members of the panel include Sukanthy Visagapperumal-Egharevba, Otunba Oladotun Olatunbosun Alabi, Etiido Effiong William Inyang, Jacob Enemona Onoja, Professor Nkemdilim Angela Udeani and Ato Arinze.  The seven jurors are expected to select winners of the prizes ranging from ¦ 1million Overall Winner’s prize through category prizes of ¦ 500,000.00 to the ¦ 50,000.00 consolation prizes..

  • ‘Consistency, creativity hallmarks of LIMCAF’

    Leading art collector and founder Omooba Yemisi Adedoyin Shyllon Art Foundation (OYASAF), Omooba Yemisi Shyllon, who was special guest at this year’s Life In My City Arts Festival in Enugu, speaks on the need to re-orientate the minds of collectors and the public on the value of art, Assistant Editor (Arts) Ozolua Uhakheme reports.

    What is your impression of the Life In My City Art Festival so far?

    Well, I am impressed by the commitment of the organisers as they have been very consistent. And through this exhibition a lot of artists have emerged that are going to blaze the trail. I am super-impressed. I have seen a work that is on realism, whoever that artist is, I see him or her making impact in the world.

    Apart from organisation and consistency, what else stands the festival out?

    I am impressed by the sense that this is a complete departure from what I have been complaining about. I have been complaining about the fact that our artists are deviating away from super composition, deviating away from draught and design appropriately and introducing some good creativity in their works. And they are moving into the height of hyper impressionism and abstractism,  which is dangerous because there is a thin line between that and what an ordinary mechanic can do, a thin line between that and what a cobbler can put together.

    I am getting worried but this is a complete departure. I can see here some great works of art. When I walked in here, one of the first works that struck me is the mix media work like a chest board with brooms, Nigerian flag. And I told my partner that this work is good for a museum. I said this is creativity and these are the kind of works my nation should be satisfied with and buying them as part of national collection.

    I hope that there are our thinkers and planners would begin to look at folders like these with the ability to identify works that will go into national collection for the benefit of generations unborn. Because these are very true identity of our culture, the representation of our culture and combining with our education and normal academic or what I will call school tutoring  to produce fantastic work of art so am impress.

    Is there a viable market for these quality of works in this part of the country?

    Well, there is a problem. In the east, there has to be a real restructuring of the minds of the consumers, and the potential consumers to begin to appreciate art. There is a tendency to associate themselves with material things that will give them value for money instead of non-monetary value, which unfortunately art gives in monetary value on a long time base compare to some of the things they are used to. So, I think to grow the market here there is need for the press to work with artists and liaise with corporate entities with a view to organizing think tanks and critical thinking movement and not to see artwork as distant object of demonic nature.

    Unfortunately, many Nigerians see the National Museum to represent a place where demonic things are kept and people at a distance look at the museum and keep off. They don’t even want to get closer. When schools send children there the teachers go there with a lot of hesitation and fear about associating themselves with works in the museum which they see as devils.

    One of the things we need to do as stakeholders is that we need to encourage things like these in museums and carry out educational programmes to get the public closer to what museums are doing. A lot of people are made to believe that works of art are for people worshiping idols.

    Interestingly, in Europe were Christianity came from, the church was the major patron of works of Michael Angelo, Leonardo Da Vinci, etc and the efforts of the church have allowed the works of these artists to be celebrated century after their death.

  • Ugwuanyi, Oba Otudeko for LIMCAF at 10 celebration

    Ugwuanyi, Oba Otudeko for LIMCAF at 10 celebration

    All is set for this year’s gala and award night of the Life In My City  Art Festival (LIMCAF) holding on  October 29.

    Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi is chief host and special guest of honour.

    Business giant Oba Otudeko will chair the ceremony.

    During an interaction with reporters in Enugu, on preparations for the 10th anniversary of the festival, its Executive Director, Mr. Kevin Ejiofor, said major prize winners had come from six states and Abuja, while winners emerged from nine states, with Lagos, Ibadan, Enugu, Abuja and Auchi centres topping the list of major winners.

    According to him, the grand finale exhibition will open on Monday, October 24. It will feature The Best 100 New Works by Young Artists in Nigeria, including the major winning works.

    “There will be several side activities in- between those dates, including supporting exhibitions by groups and individuals from these parts who have indicated interest in mounting those side attractions at no cost to LIMCAF. Details of such side attractions will be announced later. As usual, the festival patron Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe (Agbogidi) will be present at the gala and award night,” he said.

    Since inception, LIMCAF has conferred on young  artists prizes worth over N14 million.

    Two hundred and eighty-nine entries were received bringing the number of entries since the beginning of the festival to about 30,000. He recalled that the festival organisers had logistic challenges in some centres, such as Lagos, and Port Harcourt, which made them allow participants in those areas and other parts of the country to send their entries online.

    But Ejiofor noted that of all the entries so far, Enugu recorded the highest followed by Auchi, Ibadan and Kaduna. He added that there would be several side activities, such as supporting exhibitions by groups and individuals who have indicated interest in mounting the shows at no cost to LIMCAF.

    Ejiofor thanked the sponsors, especially the Founder and Managing Director, Rocana Nigeria Limited, Enugu, Chief Robert Orji, who, for the first four years, provided the money for the major prizes.

    He acknowledged the supports of others, such as French Embassy, the Alliance Française Network in Nigeria, the late Justice Anthony Aniagolu Family, Ms Bisi Silva of the Centre for Contemporary Art, Lagos, Dr. Pius Okigbo Family, Mrs Mfon Ekong Usoro, Dr. Ellis Onyekola of University of Ibadan, Mr. Jeff Ajueshi of Thought Pyramid Gallery, Abuja, the Art is Everywhere Project headed by Ayo Adewunmi and Mr. Vin Martin Iloh.

    Others include Senator Ayogu Eze, Mr Gozie Okoye, Chief Emma Egbunike (Odua ngu of Onitsha), and Mr Chisom Okoye of Diamond Bank.

    LIMCAF is designed to promote among young people an avenue to showcase and commercialise their productions, win prizes and interact with the larger art community on the national and international platforms and create a notable national and international art tourism destination in the country.

    No fewer than 2,700 artists from 29 states of the federation have participated in the yearly fiesta  since 2007.

  • Entries for LIMCAF close July 30

    ENTRIeS for the organising Committee of the Life In My City Art Festival (LIMCAF) has extended deadline for entries and submission of artworks for this year’s festival till July 30.
    A statement by the Art Director of the festival, Mr Ayo Adewunmi, said the extension had become necessary due to some unforeseen logistic problems at some of the festival’s collection centres, especially Lagos and Port Harcourt.
    The statement added that this has also made it necessary not only to extend the entry deadline, but also to slightly alter the method and process of submission that no intending competitor may be disadvantaged.
    “As a result the following temporary changes in the rules of entry for this year’s festival only will now apply. Those in Lagos should please submit scanned photographs their entries online direct to limcaf2016@gmail.com.
    “Those in Port Harcourt may also submit online in the same way or in person to the Department Of Fine Art and Design, University Of Port Harcourt C/O Ike Francis 08037082266. The online submissions must be accompanied with scanned copies of the items listed below:
    • Payment Teller (please keep a photo copy),
    • Passport-size photograph of the artist
    • A brief statement about the work(s) in not more than 100 words including title of the work, medium, size, and year of production
    • Bio-data of artist in not more than 100 words and
    • Referee contact information,” it said.
    Submission centres for other locations remain the same as earlier indicated.