By Tajudeen Sowole
Connecting
with his ancestral Benin roots of profound artistic tradition, Enotie Ogbebor
brings the spirit of bronze casting identity onto the realm of painting as a
mirror in promoting environmental friendliness. The artist, who is currently
base in Benin, is, however, heading out of the city to share his thoughts via
documentation of managing challenges of the environment.
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| The Light Beckons by Enotie Ogbebor |
Title Colours
of A Missing Link, Ogbebor displays his skill of combined Edo and
contemporary painting at a solo exhibition, which opens from September 10 through
14, 2015 at Thought Pyramid Art Centre, Wuse-2, FCT, Abuja. Using his art to
promote environmental friendliness is not exactly a new focus for Ogbebor.
Recall that in 2007 he made a debut solo art exhibition titled Eclectic
Treasure, at Terra Kulture, Victoria Island, Lagos.
"The theme highlights the need for all
of us to take care of the environment and of one another," Ogbebor
explains his thoughts on the Abuja exhibition.
"This starts with everyone rediscovering a sense of beauty and
making our thoughts, words and deeds beautiful so we can achieve decent
development."
Still
retaining the identity of a texturised or impasto canvas, some of the works
available for preview, indeed, challenges the people's commitment to their
environment. Also, inconsistence of governments at all levels is a factor in
retrogressive environment.
For example ‘Bullish Market,’ depicting a
typical disorganised and informal trading district in most parts of Nigeria,
particularly Lagos, with so much pressure mounted on the weak environment and
dwindling resources. A sea of traders, mostly on the roads as well as lawless commercial
bus drivers in Lagos as seen in ‘Bullshit Market’ brings to mind the need to
revisit a much-celebrated achievement of the previous government of Babatunde
Fashola.
In the last one year towards the elections
till date, almost every laudable development gained - in environmental
management during the eight years of Fashola is currently in reverse. Indeed,
it has amounted to a share waste of resources as the new government of Akinwunmi
Ambode might have to spend extra resources to recover what has been undone in
the next four or eight years. As an artist, merely spotlighting the challenges
of the environment may not be enough, as ‘The Light Beckons’ suggests respite of sorts.
Excerpts from Ogbebor's Artist Statement
says,
"The
works are highly textured ala
impasto, more like reliefs. This technique, coupled with the plaque-like
perspectives, are a tribute to my Benin roots particularly the Igun bronze casters which forms part of
my ancestry
"Included are the missing link series
which showcase Benin Culture and poses the question: What would have
happened to our civilisation if the British did not invade Benin Kingdom? What
would have happened to the transfer of skills within the Guilds of Ancient
Benin Kingdom? Will the works, which now occupy various museums abroad, have
inspired a new generation? How do we get the lost skills and work ethic
of our forebears back?
"As a Nigerian, what lessons can we draw
from the arduous meticulousness of our ancestors regardless of tribe? How
do we showcase these works and that of several cultures in Nigeria because of
the humanising effect of Art? The reorientation Nigeria needs can be achieved
through the widespread exposure to the arts."
When Ogbebor had his debut solo in 2007, the
artist explained his choice of not expressing himself in bronze casting
tradition of The Benin, noting, "I have found love in painting; the medium
does not really matter”.
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