By
Tajudeen Sowole
And quite thoughtful of the management; a gallery for art exhibitions
has been included in the new head-office. If the posture of Ab Artworld, by
having an inaugural exhibition at the opening was anything to hold on to,
artists may heave a sigh of relief; an exhibition space on the Lagos mainland
provides alternative to the art gallery spaces in choice areas of Lagos and
Victoria Islands.
Recalling how Artworld shop
pleasantly made him “embarrassed” himself some years ago, prolific painter,
Kolade Oshinowo said he used to think that the best of art materials were not
available in Nigeria, until he was proven wrong by Ab Artworld. “I was so
elated after buying an easle with wheels in London. But I later saw the same
brand and exact quality when I got to Alex’s shop”. More importantly, the tool,
Oshinowo disclosed was “even cheaper here than the one I bought abroad”.
When
artists and art lovers joined the management of foremost art materials group,
Ab Artworld for the opening of a new facility at Ojuelegba, Lagos it was a
celebration of over 20 years of feeding Nigerian visual arts with quality art
materials.
Currently operating with branches
in
Ikoyi, Surulere), Ibadan, Benin, Port Harcourt and Abuja, the
headquatre was formerly located on Ojuelegba road. On this Saturday
afternoon, activities and attention moved just few metres away to the new head
office, a four-floor building off Ojuelegba rood, Surulere.
Elated by the high volume of well-wishers, mostly artists, the Chief
Executive Officer, Alex Ewuzie
stated that the organization, since inception has achieved “key milestones” in the business of supplying
materials for the creative industry.
The ultimate goal of Ab Artworld, he stressed
is about affordable, but quality art materials. “In line with our core vision
and mission statements, we are committed to fostering the easy and affordable
access to quality art materials, books and equipment that would improve and
sustain the world acclaimed outcome of the visual arts industry in Nigeria”.
![]() |
Painter, Kolade Oshinowo (left), printmaker, Dr Bruce Onobrakpeya and CEO, AB
Artworld, Alex Ewuzie during the opening of the head office in Lagos |
Also, a studio space is available for artists who wish to work outside
their private environment.
Ewuzie explained that the art gallery and studio spaces are for emerging and
established artists to enhance and show their work, thereby “fostering and
developing critical/artistic dialogues”.
For the maiden exhibition as part of the
opening ceremony, works of Fidel Oyiogu Jefferson Jonathan, Tyna Adebowale,
Peter Akinwunmi and Victoria Udondian were on display.
The curatorial consultant of the gallery,
Jude Anogwih noted that the artists selected for the show “represent the
diversity and dynamics of Nigeria’s fast rising art profession”. He assured
that, indeed, “more exhibitions are coming before the end of the year”.
Beside exhibition, the gallery, Ewuzie added
will be available for gathering of artists “for workshops, seminars, and
creative interactions thus providing needed opportunities for emerging artists
to learn, work and share confidently their work”.
Shortly after declaring the Ab Artworld building
opened, the chairman of the occasion and master printmaker, Bruce Onobrakpeya stated that the new
art material centre “is a sign that the Nigerian art industry is really
growing”. He noted that it’s not surprising such a development is coming from
Ab Artworld, “having been consistent for a long time”.
Ewuzie argued that the Nigerian
creative environment is “promising, with increased patronage of art”. His
organisation’s “corporate interest, through this one-stop facility”, remains
strong, he assured.
Ab Artworld’s company profile states that it
is Nigeria’s leading wholesale and retail outlet for fine art, graphics, craft
and architectural materials in Nigeria anda leading provider of quality picture
and art framing services.
The organisation enjoys a wide range of
technical and trade support from our overseas Partners in the United Kingdom,
United States of America and China. It has sole franchise for the the world’s
leading art material brand, Winsor and Newton range of products in Nigeria as
well as retail other top brands like Emafyl frames, Rotring, Schneider, Reeves,
Polymark and Staedler. It also has strong retail relationship with
over 20 other leading art material retailers nationwide.
It’s mission statement assures customers with
the most comprehensive range of quality products at competitive prices while
guaranteeing both satisfaction and a worthwhile experience.
In making the mission a reality, AB Artworld
seeks to pursue a transformational agenda driven by the quest for excellence in
all facets of our operations.
"It's a journey based on
our realization that great organizations that outlast successive cycles of
harsh economic conditions and remain in leadership positions over the long term
all have one thing in common".
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