By Tajudeen Sowole
WITH the 2016 edition of
Terra Kulture Mydrim Gallery (TKMG), otherwise known as Lagos Art Auction, will be asserting its status of a regional art
hub as works of artists from other West African countries are featuring among the
lots.
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| A Painting Market Queens by Ablade Glover |
In its fifth edition, the TKMG auction will
also use the event to showcase quite a number of never-seen-in-public pieces of
masters as well as works of young artists, some of who are making the auction
for the first time.
Opening
with preview and cocktail today at the Terra Kulture Art Gallery and the
auction sale Friday, April 29, at Inter Continental Hotel, the 2016 edition,
according to curator, Ronke Akinyele, "is a sophisticated platform that
celebrates Nigeria and Africa’s cultural heritage through creative artistry and
a reference platform for pricing African Artworks."
Apart from Ghanaian master, Ablade Glover,
whose work has been a regular signature on the secondary art market in Nigeria,
others featuring in the 2016 edition are Togolese, Samuel Tete Katchan;
Ghanaian, Wiz Kudowor; and Beninese sculptor, Zimkpe Dominique.
With the 2016 edition, TKMG is set to
reassure observers of the secondary art market that indeed, its rebranding with
focus on middle generation of masters is yielding result. Recall that With 51 lots sold from a total of
90 at TKMG's Lagos Art Auction in 2015,
there was indication that the new focus of the auction house on middle
generation and young artists showed a prospect.
Last year TKMG disclosed that from the May of
that year onwards, the lots will be dominated by works of the non-old masters
and young artists with the hope of building a vibrant future for Nigerian art
market.
"Over the years, TKMG has sold works from
artists like, Ben Enwonwu, El Anatsui, Ben Osawe, Erhabor Emokpae, Lamidi
Fakeye to mention a few," Akinyele told a select preview guests few days
ago, the auction house recalled. "This year, the auction will feature 104
artworks cutting across various media and artists from Nigeria and across West
Africa (Ghana, Togo and Republic of Benin.)”
Works expected to be on display include that
of masters like Bruce Onobrakpeya, Kolade Oshinowo, Ablade Glover, Dele Jegede
and emerging artists like Ndidi Emefiele, Dipo Doherty and Makata Obinna.
And as
the auction returns to the 2014 venue at Inter Continental Hotel, where Dance in the Bush by Onobrakpeya sold
for N3, 650, 000, the 2016 edition could record another set of impressive
sales. In 2014, works such as Untitled
by El Anatsui sold for 3,050,000; and Oshinowo's At The Party for N2,200,000 as top of the sales.
TKMG is
also taking a bold step by displaying as many as 104 lots, even in an economic
slowdown environment as Nigeria's. Isn't that too large of a number for the
lots? "The number of lots is large,
but they are affordable," Mrs Sinmidele Adesanya argued. "We want to
get as many young and new collectors as possible to start collecting and
appreciating art."
Still on the state of the economy as it
affects the art market, Akinyele supported the argument that slowdown of
economy hardly affects sales of art. "The slowdown in economy has nothing
to do with the passion for art collecting, so researches have shown so
far," she insisted.
Yinka Akinkugbe, the auctioneer of TKMG 2016
sale, said this year would feature "a special section for some members of
Guild of Professional Fine Artists of Nigeria (GFA)."
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