'Fact File'...Curatorial note by Ovie Omatsola

Six of the eight Fact File exhibiting artists at a press preview in Lagos. Pic: c/o Thought Pyramid Art Centre.

I share the view of Pete Seeger when he said “if it can not be reduced, reused, repaired, rebuilt, refurbished, resold, recycled, or composited, then it should be restricted, designed, or removed from production”. That statement would summarise almost everything the eight exhibiting artists of Fact File and I are focused on,  as regards recyc- led/upcycled documenting in the minds of every individual who visits the exhibition.

With the break of each dawn, the earth dies, gradually, from human activities; wildlife decreases by enormous percentage, and human life longevity has become a debate in itself. Global warming, environmental degradation, mass extinction, biodiversity loss, ecological crisis and collapse marks the footsteps of humans in the sand of time. Some of the most recognizable human impacts on the earth include pollution, overexploitation, and overconsumption among other things such as overpopulation and deforestation. 

Scientists and technocrats continue to research, invent and innovate technology that would help save our dying earth. But, how many of the world's problems can they solve? 

Ever imagined a context where Science+Art+Technology comes together to fight the common enemy of pollution and overconsumption which arises from used plastic alone? 

The visualization of the impact such collaboration would have on the ongoing fight against ineffective waste management is the motivation behind Thought Pyramid Art Centre’s devotion to exploring ways by which art can contribute its quota to the sustenance of lives on earth. For that purpose, Tayo Olayode was strategically included in the list of exhibiting artists for Fact File due to his work in combination of art and technology. 

Fact File is the first of its kind in Nigeria to bring together eight top  artists in recycled/upcycled medium: Abu Momogima, Ernest Nkwocha, Tayo Olayode, Lateef Olajumoke, Yusuf Durodola, Uzoma Samuel Anyawu, Samson Akinnire, and Olanrewaju Tejuoso.

The Fact File exhibition opens to the general public from August 22 and ends on September 12, 2021 at Thought Pyramid Art Centre, No 96, Norman Williams Street, Ikoyi, Lagos.

Apart from  the exhibition of intriguing art of recycled/upcycled media, Fact File provides substantial information that are essential in curbing improper attitudes of individuals, which are contributing to the increase of litters while documenting the sacrifices of artists of recycled/upcycled media. In an attempt to “walk the talk”, 80% of the catalogue produced for this exhibition and others are in electronic form of what is popularly referred to as e-catalogue. Rather than add to the waste management problem on ground, you can also do your part by being intentional with what you produce. 

Art of recycled/upcycled media should be one of the exhibitions that galleries organize every year. If Ajorin Dancemetalphor exhibition, held last year by our gallery with four exhibiting artists of scrap medium, for example, saved the earth 20 tonnes of metal, one could imagine what a yearly show of similar focus would do. if organised annually, the power of art beyond aesthetics will be efficiently put to use by 30% of the galleries in the world, and quite some tonnes of metal, rubber, fabric, plastic residues would have been taken off the streets and seas  

I want to thank our sponsors for their unflinching support: Nigeria Machine Tools, TrustBanc and Lakeyard. It has been a great privilege achieving this mission with the exhibiting artists and the entire workforce of Thought Pyramid Centre.

 -Ovie Omatsola is Director and Curator at Thought Pyramid Art Centre.

 About Thought Pyramid Art Centre.

Thought Pyramid Art Centre located in Abuja, Nigeria, and Ikoyi, Lagos is a dominant pacesetter and one of the paramount art stakeholders in Nigeria and Africa. We are on a mission to collect, conserve, and study modern and contemporary art of Africa, and the African Diaspora. We exhibit the art of our times from a variety of perspectives while situating them with the context of a global art movement.