The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Painting

  • Amila Painting Challenge holds tomorrow

    The grand finale of the Amila Painting Challenge will hold tomorrow, Category Manager, Food Enhancement & Beverages, Promasidor, Mrs. Abiola Inawo, has said.

    She said the company was making arrangements to ensure the success of the competition. Promasidor Nigeria Limited, makers of Amila Powdered soft drink, had, last November, flagged off the challenge in about 200 primary schools in 20 local government areas of Lagos State.

    At the first stage, an art teacher in each of the selected schools conducted a general painting competition among the pupils of to determine the best 10 pupils who then participated on Amila Day, that is, the day of its activation from where an overall best winner emerged to represent the school for the second stage.

    At the second stage, the overall winner from the schools within a local government area competed to represent the council. The winner at that level got a branded Amila bicycle, while other participants also got Promasidor goodie bags.

    Mrs. Inawo said following the successful conclusion of the second stage, all was set for the third stage where the best three pupils would emerge.

    The overall winner will walk away with N250,000, first runner-up, N150,000 and the third  runner-up, N100,000. There will be consolation prizes of N30,000 each for the other 17 contestants. The art teachers of the winning pupils will also get cash prizes of N25,000 each while their schools will get art materials, among others.

    She noted at a press briefing to herald the competition that it would encourage schools to pay more attention to arts.

    ”We are looking at 200 schools across 20 local government areas in Lagos. The competition will be in three stages, the first stage is at the school level where pupils will paint any art of their choice and the winner will represent the school at the local government area for the second stage. At the second stage, the overall winner from the local government level will get a branded Amila bicycle and Promasidor goodie bags,” Mrs. Inawo had said.

    Amila powder soft drink was launched into the market in March 2009. It has four flavours – Orange, Apple Pear, Mango Appricot and Strawberry Banana. Amila is targeted at children but ideal for sharing by all members of the family. Amila sponsors the ‘Amila Spelling Bee’ on Cool FM 95.9 anchored by Mannie.

  • ‘Painting is my first love’

    ‘Painting is my first love’

    Ebullient, winsome, and a common sight at art events in Lagos, Dotun Alabi is blessed with the physical attributes of a wrestler. But Alabi’s hands don’t crush, slap, or deal blows. Rather, his hands do more of painting and for the past three years, also teaching what he loves best – fine art.

    “My decision to become an artist was borne out of a desire to do what I love doing as against what I had to do,” he said, as we settled down to chat. “And yes there was initial family resistance but I was too determined.”

    Defying family, he enrolled at the Yaba College of Technology where he had graduated with HND in Painting at Upper Credit. He had his apprenticeship and studio practice with Abraham Uyovbisere. Later, he set up the Triad Studio where he set up his practice. A two-time winner (1995 and 1996) of the Academy Press Award, Alabi also won the Solidra Circle Award (2007). His other achievements include SNA Stewardship Award 2008, SNA Most Valuable Player Award (Challenge Cup)2009 and 2011 and participation at the Painting Competition Lagos Black Heritage (2010).

    He obtained his Teachers Training Certificate (TTC) in 2010 at the Fedrel College of Education, Akoka, Lagos. And for the past three years, he has been lecturing fine art at the Federal College of Education, Akoka. But how does he feel about the transition? “As a full time studio artist teaching art classes was an aspect of my studio work,” he replied, “but learning the pedagogy has greatly increased my efficiency while painting remains my first love. So, it’s not too much transformation.”

    Not one to rest on his oars, he recently bagged a Bed Art Education from the University Of Education, Winneba, Ghana.

    In recent times, there has been a lull on the Lagos art scene. Alabi, who resigned as General Secretary, Lagos Society of Nigerian Artists, SNA, attributes this to the leaving of Enwonwu as chairman to become the SNA President. “The lack of vibrancy of SNA Lagos,” he said “was because of the vacuum created due to the emergence of the former chairman, Mr Oliver Enwonwu, as the new president of SNA in August 2012.”

    And with the absence of the former chairman, Oliver Enwonwu, Alabi is one of the three contenders to the post of chairman. “My decision to resign from the office of the general secretary and contest was an easy one,” he said. “

    On what he aims to brings to the association, Alabi said: “My plan for the Association is to see it maximise its potentials along the lines of its aims and objectives by promoting membership stratification and welfare, sustain and increase programmes and events, become more involved in the development of visual art in the educational sector, to provide an enabling environment for the development and promotion of professional art practise, increase visibility of the association through well-planned programmes, collaboration with government agencies and the private sector to enhance policies and event that will promote the visual art and much more.”

    As the March 10 election date approaches, Alabi is optimistic.

    “I have a good chance of re-focusing the society on the path of greatness if elected as chairman,” he said.