Delta Bush Refineries And Other Stories

By Mathew B Oyedele

The exhibition, titled “Delta Bush Refineries and Other Stories” by Akintunde Akinleye is a collection of life in the Delta. It shed lights into the activities of the people involved in the vandalization of oil pipeline and asks the fundamental question, ‘why are they doing it?

A capture from the lens of  Akintunde Akinleye

The theory of art as expression seems to be the fundamental concetto of execution in the exhibited works of Akintunde Akinleye. The works clarified and refined the ideas and feelings that are shared with the spectator and bluntly tell them the secrets of their own hearts. He did not set out to criminalize the youths who are engaged in the oil bunkering but to bring Nigeria’s inability to address corruption to the limelight. He is concerned about being socially responsible to tell the stories of burning issues in the country. 

It is a known fact that Nigeria is endowed with enormous natural resources and crude oil has arguably been a sustaining factor for the country since its discovery in the village of Oloibiri, Bayelsa State in 1956. It has contributed to the development, growth and domestic violence that have left unforgettable scars in the country. Uncountable lives

From Mastery Of Lines, Olayode Leaps Into Permutations

By Tajudeen Sowole

After nearly a decade of establishing his signature in extensive application of lines AAthat generate  scintillating figures, Tayo Olayode takes a leap into what could be his new periods. From  Asia, specifically, Tibetan culture, Olayode  gets inspiration that merges his African native roots with an Oriental technique to produce  a new kind of pointillism.

A painting, Charged Horses by Tayo Olayode

 Apart from Olayode’s Tibetan-inspired kind of pop art from pointillism, rendered in portraiture, his other new form include abstractions made from asphalt on paper, which he calls Flow Series.  In addition to his regular slim figures of lines, they all make a new body of work titled Permutations, currently showing till March 4, 2017 at Wheatbaker Hotel, Ikoyi, Lagos. Sponsored by the Wheatbaker and Veuve Clicquot, Permutations stresses the growing acceptability of

Waiting For A Nigerian Pavilion At 57th Venice Biennale

Nigerian Pavilion at Venice Art Biennale in 2017 may come to pass courtesy of unnamed groups and individuals, with the support of government.. The 57th edition of Venice Art Biennale opens in May this year and ends November at the over a century-old global art gathering, where as many as 80 countries converge every two years.

Installation work of Ola-Dele Kuku shown at last Venice Architecture Biennale  2015.

In 2015, Nigeria took a step towards breaking the elusive jinx when artist and architect, Ola-Dele Kuku, with the support of Federal Ministry of Information and Culture and contribution of Lagos-based Arthouse Contemporary, gave the country its first national Pavilion presentation at the Venice Architecture Biennale. But the Art exhibition

Buchi Emecheta (1944-2017), a Nigerian novelist who lifted women.

On Wednesday, January 25, 2017, the world lost one of the finest writers that emerged from African literary space, novelist Buchi Emecheta. She passed away in her sleep, aged 72, at her care home in London.

Buchi Emecheta (1944-2017

Few of her 20 works include Second-Class Citizen (1974), The Bride Price (1976), The Slave Girl (1977) and The Joys of Motherhood (1979).
Born in Lagos, 1944, Emecheta moved to England in 1960 with her husband Sylvester Onwordi, to whom she had been engaged from the age of 11. The author’s personal life is as interesting as some of the stories she has fictionalised. For example, in her 1974 autobiography Second Class Citizen,

Osaghae... A Pseudo-mimimalist's Strokes Stop

BEN Osaghae (1962 - 2017) died as an artist whose strokes on canvas would be remembered, as radiating pseudo-minimalism aura. Sources from colleagues disclosed that Osaghae was found dead inside his Egbeda home, Alimosho Local Government, Lagos, on Tuesday, January 17, 2017.

 

Ben Osaghae (1962 - 2017

Trained at Auchi Polytechnic, Edo State, Osaghae, perhaps did not realise early enough that there was so much potential in him to excel outside the academia until 22 years after training. As one of the Nigerian artists who lived their careers strictly in studio practice, Osaghae has left behind a legacy of professionalism in visual arts. In fact, the contemporary Lagos art scene has a memorable spot in history for Osaghae as a ‘Colourist’.

  However, the artist in Osaghae had a mix of complexity and public misunderstanding of what he stood for. Probing into his views - across artistic expression and professional conduct - a chat with him in October 2008 exposed an artist who had a penchant

Arueyingho's Step Ahead In Painting, Print

By Tajudeen Sowole

 Whatever level of control man has over unseen spiritual or metaphysics guidance in a given journey, may not be exactly known to science and spiritualists. But for artist, Geoffrey Arueyingho, who just had his second solo art exhibition, titled A Step Ahead at National Gallery of Art (NGA), Kuto, Abeokuta, Ogun State, the joy of berthing at a creative coast was worth the trajectory of a challenging journey.

A Painting titled Things That Make Us Weep by Arueyingho

When the artist had his first solo, Early Search, at the same venue last year, the focus was a stretched retrospective that celebrated resilient traditional form of art. More importantly, the exhibition soon served the dual process of an artist's expression, as well as documenting pre-digital medium of design-related art.

  For A Step Ahead, expressed in Prints and Paintings, there seems to be more specifics, perhaps precision of rendition. An artist in progression from a period of searching is not in doubt with quite a number of paintings

Olayode makes debut solo with Permutations

From Minday, January 23 to March 4, 2017,  Tayo Olayode, will open the Wheatbaker’s 2017 Art Program with Permutations, an exhibition showcasing 38 mixed media artworks. 

Tayo Olayode in front of one of his works during a preview.

 The body of work has been years in the making, as Olayode, an award winning artist who has taken part in group exhibitions in Ghana, Kenya, USA, Britain, Dubai, and Canada finally presents his first solo-exhibition in Nigeria.

  Olayode, who graduated from Ahmadu Bello University with a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Art in 2000, presents

Bruce Onobrakpeya Foundation (BOF) Honoured Art Critics

As preparation towards the 19 th edition of Harmattan Workshop at Agbarha-Otor, Delta State,
Bruce Onobrakpeya Foundation (BOF), yesterday, at its office in Lagos gave awards to three art critics. The award 'Critics In Agbarha-Otor' was given to Ozolua Uhakheme (The Nation), Tajudeen Sowole (The Guardian) and Okechukwu Uwazuoke (ThisDay). 

Ozolua Uhakheme (The Nation Newspapers), receiving his award from Dr Bruce Onobrakpeya during the ceremon

Tajudeen Sowole (The Guardian Newspapers), receiving his award from Dr Onobrakpeya during the ceremony.

Okechukwu Uwazuoke (Thisday Newspapers), receiving his award from Dr Bruce Onobrakpeya during the ceremony.

Knighthood Of New Dawn For African Diaspora Creativity

By Tajudeen Sowole

When the prestigious knighthood by the Queen of England holds in June this year, two Africans whose works in art and design are highly revered, globally, would assert the importance of Africa on the world's contemporary creative landscape. Nigerian-British artist, Chris Ofili and his Ghanaian counterpart, architect David Adjaye, also based in the U.K are on the list of the Queens’s knighthood honours, an event that marks the birthday of Queen Elizabeth II.  

Yoruba sculpture-inspired design of National Museum of African American History and Culture, in Washington, U.S.

Adjaye, whose works in public spaces across the world are well known crowns his revered spot in architecture as the lead architect of the newly opened Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture  in Washington D.C, U.S.  Ofili, a Turner prize-winning artist who has worked with the architect on the Nobel Peace Centre

Celebrating Five Decades of Osogbo Art Movement

By Tajudeen Sowole

As deeply academic as art, to a large extent, is currently in Nigeria, the revered spot of informal contribution cannot be discounted. Among such revered non-academic space in the practice of art is what the creative sector's vocabulary is regarded Osogbo school of art.

Chief Muraina Oyelami, a first generation of Osogbo artists.

Five decades on, Osogbo art, which has produced quite an army of masters as well as excavated great native potentials in creative enterprise is rolling out the drums to celebrate a golden period. In the forefront of the 50 years of Osogbo Art Celebration are Chiefs Jimoh Buraimoh and Muraina Oyelami. Basically being celebrated with art exhibitions in two cities, the 50 years mark is sponsored and organised by Centre for Black Culture and International Understanding (CBCIU) Osogbo. The exhibitions start with

When Anambra Festival Honoured Creative Professionals

Uzoma Nzeagwu – Awka.

The 4th Anambra Book and creativity festival (ANBUKRAFT) held in Awka, Anambra State was dedicated to the memory of Christopher Okigbo and Uche Okeke. Organized by the Anambra Book and creativity Network, the event featured presentation by prominent artists, educationist, writers, publishers, literacy and art critics, craft makers, actors and poets, as well as exhibition of books, art and crafts.

Hon Bob-Manuel Udokwu (left) receiving his award from  Festival Director, Prof Chuu Krydz Ikwuemesi

 Awardees at the event included Prof. Benjamin Chukwuma(vice chancellor UNN), Dr Ferdinand Anikwe(DG CBAAC), Prof. Stella C, Okunna (Dean faculty of social sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.); Greg Mbajiorgu, Tajudeen Sowole (The Guardian Newspapers), Hon Bob-Manuel Udokwu, Moses Ohiomokhare, HRH Igwe A.I, Ofuebe(Ogidiga of Ifite Ogwari), Hon Ifeanyi Aniagoh, Chukwudi Udoye, Chinyere Odinukwe, Chukwudi  Ike-Okoye and Titus Aborate.

  The Festival Director, Prof Chuu Krydz Ikwuemesi in his speech expressed concern 

Of Tradition, contemporary interpretation of Yoruba Monarch, Ogunwusi’s swapping of seat with wife

By Tajudeen Sowole

A picture, it has been said, 'speaks thousand words'. Yes, but what has one second click of camera got to do with probing into the mindset of a young monarch, the Ooni of Ile Ife, Oba (King) Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi? He answer lies in conflicting views of tradition and contemporary behaviour. 

Ooni of Ile Ife, Oba (King) Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi with wife,
Olori Wuraola Zynab Otiti during a recent visit to Ghana.

The current Ooni has never hidden his desire for a shift in expanding the relevance of monarchy in contemporary African setting. As the 51st Ooni, coronated on 7 December 2015, he has since been in the news for all the change reasons that were hardly noted in history of monarchy sphere of Yorubaland, southwest Nigeria.

 The picture of Ooni Ogunwusi swapping 'position' with his wife, Olori Wuraola Zynab Otiti Ogunwusi confirms that the King of modern day ancient town of Ile Ife is somebody to watch, perhaps,

Filling Mosaic Art Vacuum With Olaopa's Mission

By Tajudeen Sowole

 AS one of the oldest media of visual representation, mosaic art, whichdates back to the third millennium BCE, is still, in contemporary era, mostly used for outdoor works. Perhaps, confining it to outdoor, particularly in a country like Nigeria where the demand for it is not as regular, has been the reason for its decline and weak appreciation.

Mosaic mural for outdoor wall covering of a private building in Lagos.

Also, being a medium of art that requires an artist's painstaking attention in placing spots of materials to form clusters of images, quite a number of artists keep a distance from the ancient art form. In Lagos, the most notable mosaic art in public space exists as murals along the tunnel-like road at Maryland - in and outward of Ojota, Lagos. Apparently, there are

Etisalat Prize for Literature list

Winner of 2015 Etisalat Literature Prize, Fiston Mwanza Mujila

The 2016 Etisalat Prize for Literature shortlist:

Mr. and Mrs. Doctor by Julie Iromuanya (Coffee House Press, USA), The Yearning by Mohale Mashigo (PanMacmillan, South Africa), Piggy Boy’s Blues by Nakhane Toure (Blackbird Books imprint of Jacana Media, SA), The Peculiars by Jen Thorpe (Penguin Random House, USA), Born on a Tuesday by Elnathan John

Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art…reality update in pictures

What would be the first of its kind facility donation by an individual, Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art is fast becoming a reality at Pan Atlantic University  (PAU), Ajah, Lagos. 

  Donated to the university by one of Africa’s revered art collectors, Omooba Yemisi Shyllon, the current state of work-in-progress indicates that the completion of the museum is just a matter of months.

Perspective view of Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art

 About two years ago, Shyllon signed MoU with PAU at Oba Elegushi office of the institution's Pro-Chancellor, Mr. Paschal Dozie. The donor stated that the proposed-museum will be Nigeria's first ever "one-stop-non-government museum."

Shyllon (left) during inspection of work at the construction site...recently

Ofili, Adjaye Get Queen's Honours

Chris Ofili

Nigerian-British artist, Chris Ofili and his Ghanaian-British counterpart, architect David Adjaye, are on the list of Queens’s knighthood honours in the New Year.

  Adjaye is the lead architect of the Smithsonian's new museum of African American History in Washington, DC, among several note able works of his.  Ofili, a Turner prize-winning artist who has worked with the architect on the Nobel Peace Centre in Oslo and The Upper Room installation (1999-2002), is also being recognised in the Queen's Honours list as CBE.
   The knighthood which traditionally holds in June during the Queen’s official birthday will also honour veteran photographer, Don McCullin, who recorded conflicts in Cyprus, Vietnam and Africa in the 1960s and 70s; Jenny Waldman, the director of 14-18 Now, who played a great role in in the UK- creativity of the First World War period; co-founder of Lisson Gallery, Nicholas Logsdail, and the artists Bob and Roberta Smith and Ryan Gander. 

Onobrakpeya... Unveiling Visual Storyteller Of Agbarha-Otor

By Tajudeen Sowole

Master printmaker, Dr Bruce Onobrakpeya is, arguably, the most documented living legend artist in this part of the world. Adding to the list of books that have, in the past, either celebrated the artist or highlighted his artworks, is The Storyteller Of Agbarha-Otor Bruce Onobrakpeya's Visual Tales, written by Dozie Igweze.

Cover of the book

  A 228-page hardcover, published by Hourglass Gallery, the book takes off without the regular openers such as Foreword or Introduction, but rather goes straight into the incubation of the subject. Onobrakpeya, according to the opening topic, Eragumire, under Meetings and Conferences,   learned storytelling in verbal form- as a ten-year-old- before his visual artistry germinated uunder formal education. But the book, perhaps, sub-consciously sneaks into what the artist's periods, from post-training time look like.

 Three and a half decades after listening to storytelling as a young boy, Onobrakpeya

Experience Nigeria Art of Resilient Patronage

By Tajudeen Sowole

Art competitions as crucial inputs that come with honours such as awards across various other areas of art patronage and promotion are no doubt the oil that lubricate art appreciation in the Lagos circuit. And when the specific art completion in focus is the  oldest in this part of the world, Experience Nigeria Art Show, nothing

Clara Aden’s Hopephobia won the star prize at Experience Nigeria 2016.

short of rich presentation comes as expectation.

 Interestingly, every edition, Experience Nigeria Art comes in modest texture, but richness in art contents and presentation. For the 2016 edition, artists, patrons and other professionals were honoured with African Art Awards, a spice of Experience Nigeria Show and art competition.

 Being among the high points