The paucity of fund, which resonated in poor
planning showed clearly during the opening of the 5th edition, few days ago, at
its regular venue, National Museum, Onikan Lagos. It was a repeat of low
attendance and zero publicity that heralded the 2011 edition.
Organised yearly by National Gallery of Art (NGA) in conjunction with
Art Galleries Association of Nigeria (AGAN) since 2008, the last two editions
have brought a shift in date from August to December. The shifts in date,
according to the organizers, were unavoidable “because of reasons beyond our
control.”
During his opening remarks, Mr Sammy Olagbaju who was the chairman of the
occasion could not hide his concern about the future of Art Expo Lagos as he noticed that publicity, if there was any at
all did not commiserate with the status of the event. Olagbaju, however urged
more support for the organizers in the future so that the event would be the
attraction in art marketing like similar shows in New York and Las Vegas, U.S. “International Art Expo Lagos is our
own, therefore I call on all stakeholders to join hands with the biggest art
show in Africa with the same popularity and patronage as the aforementioned “
Designed as a Public Private Partnership (PPP), Art Expo Lagos, however, have been solely funded by the NGA since
2008. This, according to investigation has affected the projection to meet the
required standard.
More
worrisome, signs of sharp disagreement and crack in the leadership of AGAN were
also noticed few days ago as some galleries did not participate in the opening.
In fact, some of them, who were strong members of AGAN pulled out of the event
at the last minute, sources disclosed. For example, the director of Omenka Gallery, Ikoyi,
Oliver Enwonwu who is a key member, during a telephone chat shortly after the
opening, said his gallery could not participate because “the notice was too
short.”
One thought by now, AGAN members should
be familiar with short notices: the previous edition was also organised in the
same pattern when participants alleged short notice. Perhaps, there were some
other reasons that led to what an observer described as “massively boycotted.”
One of the founding members of AGAN
Moses Ohiomokhare who is also the curator of Quintessence Gallery, Falomo
ikoyi, disclosed that the boycott of the opening by members was aimed at
demonstrating their lack of trust in the leadership of the galleries’ umbrella
body. “We are not satisfied with the plan of the current executive to
perpetuate its stay in power even when we all agreed it was time for a
change. Plans will unfold within the week about how to effect changes in the
leadership. Our not being present at the opening was to demonstrate our
protest.”
Chairman of the opening and a prominent art collector, Mr. Sammy Olagbaju (right) admires a sculptural piece. |
About two weeks ago, an SMS was circulated, which informed members about election of AGAN scheduled to hold before the Art Expo Lagos 2012 opens. But a day ahead of the scheduled election, the president of AGAN, Chief Frank Okonta, during a joint press briefing with NGA organised to formally announce the date of Art Expo Lagos countered the planned election when he said “AGAN will hold its election next year.”
It appeared that the angst of some
members who disagreed with the change in election date was carried over to the Art Expo Lagos show. This much was
gathered from Ohiomokhare and another member who boycotted the opening, Juliet
Ezenwa Maja-Pearce. “What we all agreed to do is quite different from what they
have told the press concerning the change in leadership,” Ohiomokhare argued.
“I decided not to participate in the Art
Expo Lagos 2012 because I believe the association is being run like a
one-man company where all decisions are taken by one man,” Ezenwa Maja-Pearce
of Yemaja Gallery said.
Similarly, a source said another
member, Biodunomolayo Gallery pulled out of the opening at the last minute,
citing the same reasons mentioned above.
Disagreement among members of a
professional body is not peculiar to AGAN. However, bringing such disagreement
to bare on a big even as the Art Expo
Lagos is worrisome, observers noted. The core of the issue creating
friction in the group, according to sources, was “lack of transparency” in the
management of fund received by AGAN from NGA. Such allegation has been a
recurring issue of which Okonta, severally, had argued that the leadership of
AGAN has been transparent enough in the management of the event’s funding from
NGA.
For the NGA, sole funding of Art Expo Lagos may have to continue.
“The NGA will continue to provide financial support for the expo until such a
time when the event will be fully championed by the private sector,” the
Director-General, Abdullahi Muku stated during his welcome address read by the
director of curatorial service, Titus Akusu.
From the debut edition, in 2008, which
had more than 50 galleries showed over 700 works, participants have been
dropping in the last three editions. The challenges not withstanding, galleries
from neighouring Ghana and Togo who still believed in the prospect of Lagos Art Expo were seen among the
participants during the opening.
The Hon Minister of Tourism, Culture
and National Orientation, Chief Duke, whose address was read by the director of
National Troupe, Martins Adaji said “in line with the transformation agenda of
President Goodluck Jonathan, visual arts is one of he priorities of my ministry to promote and boost
tourism as a major contribution to the economy of our great nation.”
Shortly before visitors were led through
the works on display, Dr Bruce Onobrakpeya whose 80th birthday celebration was
recognized with by the gathering used the occasion to thank NGA for supporting
the celebration.
Art on chessboard with Tunde Onakoya, Lanre Olagoke
Onyeka Onwenu's last major honour in Art of Afrobeats award
Soyinka at 90...revisiting Maya Angelou, superlatives of Nobel Prize
Separating Yoruba religious tradition from Isese (2)
No comments:
Post a Comment