![]() |
Under utilised Old kobo coin depicted in metal foil by Michael Fashakin |
Toned in social and economic hues, a body of work by artist, Michael Fashakin, shown as Exchange of
Change at Yusuf Grillo Gallery, Yaba College of Technology (Yabatech),
Lagos, revisits the lost monetary value of Nigeria’s currency. Exuding quite a
documentary value, the wall pieces refresh memory of prudency as the artist employs
large-size coins in metal foils, representing old denomination of kobo coins
such as, 10, 25, 5 as well as
one penny and one naira. Profoundly two periods
in modern monetary exchange of Nigerian currency: the pound/penny and naira-kobo
eras.
In about 33 pieces spread across seven
paintings and mixed media as well as eight pieces of relief coin depiction, the
artist takes visitors at the exhibition through history as the assemblage tells
one that Herbert Macaulay is one of the most commonly used iconic names on
Nigerian currency. Macaulay, currently on 100-naira note, has passed through
more than two stages of change in the country's ever changing currencies.
More salient lessons to learn from Fashakin's
Exchange of Change is the fact that
the works suggest the wide gap in Nigeria's devaluation stages over the periods
that the change in currency happened. The exhibition could inspire a museum of
currency if financial institutions like Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and
others really place value on documentation.
Just
when some of the paintings suggest that the artist's strength lies more in
mixed media, a standing figure of man in chains titled ‘How Long?’ (mental
slavery) proves that Fashakin's brush strokes could be masterly too. Inspired
by concerns for dependence on foreign value and things in general, the artist's
depiction explains what he considered as "self-imposed slavery and
bondage."
On
monetary exchange, Fashakin recalled periods that "Nigerians once
witnessed a time when the naira was equal to a U.S. dollar, but the story is not
the same now." He emphasised what has become almost a national anthem:
"We need to look inward for everything required to grow the economy; the
nation must go back to the farm!"
Fashakin's
Exchange of Change provides windows
for followers to track his strength and challenges in the realm of materials'
influence on an his artist's form.
"I
find metal foil mixed media more comfortable for now," he disclosed. "The
foil gives me more time to produce what I like unlike the acrylic which dries
faster, making me struggle with time."
A few
Nigerian artists have used foil extensively, which gives room to spring
surprises, but with oil, nothing exactly to prove as much, the artist seems to
be saying.
-Tajudeen Sowole
Art on chessboard with Tunde Onakoya, Lanre Olagoke
Onyeka Onwenu's last major honour in Art of Afrobeats award
Soyinka at 90...revisiting Maya Angelou, superlatives of Nobel Prize
Separating Yoruba religious tradition from Isese (2)
This is apt. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteGreat post. Well done Fashakin
ReplyDelete