‘Social club’ by Fidelis Odogwu |
Having brought riverine
community of Makoko, Yaba, Lagos, into wider public attention through thematic
paintings over the decades, artists, in the New Year, would be contributing to
the humanitarian needs of the same people. Late last year, six artists showed
paintings and sculptures titled Dear Nigeria, Dear Friends, at Omenka
Gallery, Ikoyi, Lagos, as part of a non-governmental development efforts to
assist Makoko.
In the
Lagos art parlance, the Makoko theme is still the most focused, such that a
section of Nigerian art critics has termed it 'repetitive' in apparent derogation
of some artists' artistic expression. But LIFE, an acronym for Literacy,
Integration
and Formal Education, at Makoko, has now reconnected a familiar
theme with the artists to justifying the 'repetitive' strokes on canvas over
the decades.
This
much the paintings and sculptures of Abraham Uyovbisere, Fidelis Odogwu, Alex
Nwokolo, Gerry Nnubia, Francis Uduh and George Edozie are focused on at the
exhibition. As one of the two sculptors at the gathering, Odogwu brings his
metal dexterity in such figural and abstractive pieces as 'Social Club,' a
display of geles by five women and 'The Source,' depicting the essence
of living in communal support.
For
Uyovbisere, it’s a visit to a theme he probably did several decades ago. In
three series titled 'Downtown GRA', Uyovbisere brings the sarcastic context of
'Government Reservation Area’ into the Makoko debacle. In his impressionistic
signature, the artist spices the Makoko streetscape with great depth in
perspective representation.
"The waterside scene fits better into the
subject," the artist says during the opening.
Nwokolo's
landscape of pathways 'Green Life', 'Tree of Life', and 'Balogun Market' series
are the four set of painting on the right side at the gallery. With Uduh's
dancing sculptures, Nnubia's 'flow' technique paintings, and stylised figural
by Edozie, Dear Nigeria, Dear Friends presents a rich, artistic social
responsibility show. For example, from Nnubia's ‘flow’ technique comes a 360-degree
portraiture of different textures.
"I
am an experimentalist... I cannot be stagnant," Nnubia boasts.
Organised
by Elvira Sellaras-led LIFE Foundation, proceeds of the exhibition would be
used for development of education structures at Makoko community this year and beyond,
LIFE Foundation announces. The organisers would like a repeat of the show this year,
noting, "This is the first (2017) and we hope to make it again next
year," Sellaras enthuses as visitors trickled in for the opening.
Sellaras
recalled that ahead of the exhibition, LIFE Foundation had, in the last two
years, "executed various projects in Makoko community." Among such
works, she says "are rebuilding a primary school, facilitating two medical
missions, organising seasonal parties, equipping a school library and
distributing books, teaching aids and 1,000 pairs of sandals to school
children."
LIFE, she disclosed, was incorporated in 2006
to promote the welfare and best interests of orphans and vulnerable children
through formal education and social integration. Indeed, the task ahead
requires more efforts outside the regular donors.
"The needs of the school-aged children of
Makoko community are enormous," Sellaras, president/founder of LIFE alerted
visitors to the exhibition. "But I am confident that hope will remain
alive and significant progress achieved if we all join hands in support."
However,
the foundation has support in the contribution of Alliance Française, Lagos.
"This exhibition by six top-rated
Nigerian artists covers an extraordinary diversity of subjects and
techniques," Charles Courdent, Director at the French cultural
organisation noted. "Alliance Française, together with the French
Institute in Nigeria, as the French cultural and teaching centre in Lagos and
nine other centres in all Nigeria, is very proud to be associated with this
project."
He explained that the organisation was
promoting "what French language can bring in terms of culture and
diversity" and argued in favour of to richness of multi-lingua environment,
saying, "French is another language, another culture linking people around
the world, more especially in Africa" and commends LIFE for "bringing
this wonderful project alive; they do a fabulous work to give hope to children,
by giving shining colours to a dark world!"
-Tajudeen Sowole
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