By Tajudeen Sowole
With periodical
workshops by Omoba Yemisi Adedoyin Shyllon Art Foundation (OYASAF), artists are
now empowered for economic engagements.
ORGANISED
by the Creative Arts Department, University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos, and tagged Unilag Art Entrepreneurship Workshop,
the closing ceremony of the second edition created a platform for renowned and
upcoming artists as well as students to interact and share notes on how to
harness artistic engagement as a source of economic empowerment. The initiative
made its debut last year.
From watercolour painting to crafts
such as beading and ceramic, this year’s edition, which started in April
through the second week of June 2012, produced some fascinating pieces as
participants’ works on display at the new complex of the
Creative Arts Dept brought out the combined skills of the artists and their
facilitators.
Shortly before awards were given to some outstanding participants, the
founder of OYASAF, Prince Yemisi Shyllon disclosed that master printmaker, Dr.
Bruce Onobrakpeya’s “revelation to me that Uli Beier’s art workshop, Mbari Mbayo changed his art, inspired
and encouraged me to get involved in this workshop”. Shyllon argued that
Nigeria should emulate Japan, the far-east country that has no mineral
resources, but is the third largest economy in the world, “based on creativity
and production.”
Onobrakpeya, who was a special guest at the event, said he was glad that
Dr. Peju Layiwola and Shyllon organised the workshop. He stated that “am not
surprised because for 12 years, Layiwola participated in the annual Harmattan
Workshop at Agbaro-Otor, Delta State.” According to the great artist, Shyllon
“has set the pace in promoting art, as the workshop has brought the town and
gown together.”
One of the facilitators, Brett Cook (speaking), Prince Yemisi Shyllon and Chief (Mrs) Olufunmilayo Shyllon during the closing ceremony of the 2nd Unilag Art Entrepreneurship Workshop… recently. |
Sessions for the workshop included jewelry (chain mail/wire knitting
/sheet metal work/ bead stringing) as well as watercolour painting and an open
session in ceramics.
Facilitators included a resource person and African-American artist Brett Cook, who joined others such as Sam Ovraiti, Ibe Ananaba, Ato Arinze, and Ariyo Oguntimehin.
Although, it is just two editions old, the workshop appeared to have won the attention of more people. For example, Ovraiti, who is one of the well known faces in art workshop, disclosed that “the Unilag gathering is one of the two art workshops I now hold so dear to my heart, which I must not miss every year.”
Facilitators included a resource person and African-American artist Brett Cook, who joined others such as Sam Ovraiti, Ibe Ananaba, Ato Arinze, and Ariyo Oguntimehin.
Although, it is just two editions old, the workshop appeared to have won the attention of more people. For example, Ovraiti, who is one of the well known faces in art workshop, disclosed that “the Unilag gathering is one of the two art workshops I now hold so dear to my heart, which I must not miss every year.”
Speaking on the gains of the workshop, Layiwola explained that it was
basically about improving on whatever artists have acquired elsewhere. She
noted that Arinze, for example, showed how ceramic materials could be sourced
locally. Largely, materials for ceramic, which are imported, and very expensive,
she reasoned, “had discouraged some artists from practice, thereby making them
go into other professions as they were not able to cope with the challenges.”
Layiwola also stated, “We found a much better use of copper wire in
producing bead works.”
For the visitor, Cook, “it’s all about interconnecting; the workshop has
given me more wider scope in relating with other artists.”
Cook had carried out numerous public projects in the U.S, the Caribbean,
and Mexico. His prized collections can be found in the Smithsonian Institute’s
National Portrait Gallery in Washington DC; Studio Museum of Harlem in New York
and Harvard University. He is a recipient of the smARTpower residency in
Nigeria funded by the US Department of State.
As
an extension of Cook’s project themed Sharing
Culture, the artist left behind a mural at the Creative Art Department,
which stands at over 12 feet in height and about six times that much in length.
Awardees of the second Unilag
Entrepreneurship Workshop and chosen for being the best in each of the
sessions included Uche Ezebiro, for wireworks; Uhorha Splendour, watercolour;
Temilola Marindoti, beads; Ojetunde Sherriff, ceramics.
And for some of the participants who did not win any award, the
experience was worth the time spent.
Olasunkanmi Akinsanmi disclosed that “before the workshop, I was like a
blind artist. Now, I can see as I have acquired a lot in watercolour painting.”
For Tayo Ola, a fashion designer, “this programme has turned my life
around.”
At
the maiden edition, last year, the workshop
emphasised skills in repousse,
watercolour, pastel painting, ceramics and printmaking, and wife of an American
diplomat in Nigeria, Kathleen Stafford was among the facilitators.
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