By Tajudeen Sowole
Despite increasing hostile
socio-economic environment, painter Emenike Ogwo still find reasons for people
to appreciate nature as explained in his new body of work. It took the artist
traveling on road from Lagos to Abuja to realise the abundance of nature that
is hardly appreciated by people.
Yesterday, Ogwo started sharing his
experience in nature appreciation as his solo art exhibition titled Life Is
Beautiful opened at Terra Kulture, Victoria Island, Lagos; it will show for
the next one week. Still in impressionism, which the canvas of Ogwo is known
for, some of the works include captures of forestry, birds, low grasslands and
cityscape.
The
artist is not exactly unfamiliar with road travel. So, what was so special
about his last journey in April that he suddenly realised the beauty of nature?
The difference between what he saw during his last trip and what he used to
know over the decades, he says, is the ability to distill nature from the
regular mundane distraction. At a particular age in life, "we start seeing
the bright side of life," Ogwo explains, disclosing that Life Is
Beautiful marks his golden anniversary on earth.
In 21
years of practice as an artist, Ogwo had, earlier in his career, delved into
photography, and perhaps, saw today's trend which had most painters and
sculptors use the camera as a tool for fine art. As a painter, currently, it
does appear that his knowledge of photography comes in as added strength,
particularly in rendering nature.
Among
50 works on display for the exhibition are Okene, landscape scenery in
Kogi State and a contrasting Lagos streets scape, Marina. In Okene comes
a dimensional illusion texture of asphalted foreground of highway, activities
of travelers at bus station and a vast forest in the background that almost
swallows the human elements. For Marina, man's creation of high-rise
buildings also brings its beautiful side of life, though in an environment
where nature appears to have been invaded and perhaps violated too.
Also, among the works that represent what he
describes as "nature at its best" is Ososa, "a quiet
place outside Benin city." Beyond making a career out of art, the
artist hopes that in the next 20 or more years, he would be giving back to the
society. He discloses his plans to set up training school for young artists and
others who have passion for art.
At 50,
culmination of experience, he recalls, has taught him that in achieving success
one "must be a man of action; there’s no other way."
He explains how goals and determination could end up as nothing if not
supported with what he believes is the key word 'action.'
"Knowledge is not wisdom until it is
given application, until it is mixed with brains and action." Whoever will
make success out of any passion, the artist warns "must" be ready to
face challenges. "Can’t do it sticks in the mud, but try soon drags the
wagon out of the rut."
The
role of intellectual strength, he notes as important as determination.
"Work is worthless unless mixed with Brains. The quality of your work will
have a great deal to do with the quality of your life. If your work quality is
down, your character will be down, your standards down, your ideas down. So whatever
I have tried to do in my life, I have tried with all my heart to do well. What
I have devoted myself to; I have devoted myself to completely. That makes “Life
so Beautiful.
The
bees' behaviour as analogy comes into Ogwo's analysis. "The bees tried and turned flowers into honey. No
hill is too steep to try a climb. No hole too big for a try to mend. Little
pigeons can carry great messages. Even a little dog can bark at a thief and
wake up the master and save the house. So, do it now”
Two
years ago, Ogwo’s solo exhibition titled
Observation offered alternative resource to lovers of
motivational books. At the event, 36 paintings, including of
impasto-style-textured canvas and acrylic on paper were on display.
The artist had returned with Cultures
in Colours from the U.K. and showed same at the National Museum, Onikan,
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