Nigerian artists, most of whom have gone underground due to lack of exposure, are coming alive as this present administration has offered a rare opportunity for them to demonstrate their skills and restore returns on investment.
For the first time ever, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs enacted a gallery in its space to share Nigeria’s story, identity and culture through time.
The assemblage of key Nigerian artists, Michael Anyadike, Aisha Attah Ahmed, John Oyedemi, Olorunyemi Kolapo and Ehinomen Okoeki, at the Atrium Gallery in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Abuja, marked the beginning of resurrection of arts that was almost moribund.
This exhibition curated by Nduwhite Ndubuisi Ahaonu, showcased works of artists reflected on multiple themes, from survival to migration, climate change to leadership.
Leadership as seen in John Ali’s work, where he referenced the past to inspire the future or Micheal Anyadike’s multi-layered cubic panels whose works deals with every day challenges as well as Imal Silva’s works that reflect on the intersection of tradition and modernity which is another pertinent truth from one of the exhibiting artist.
The event, aside retooling indigenous artists, also opens opportunities for reflection and sharing Nigerian dreams of a great society, a new Nigeria, a new world that encourages people to aspire and inspire.
Anyadike remarked that Nigerian art and culture are in a good place, and with the event the culture of artistic awareness is growing in leaps.
This is evident in the number of art exhibitions being held in various cities in Nigeria, especially Lagos and Abuja. These exhibitions are important to the art and culture industry for a good number of reasons.
Anyadike notes that the exhibition showcases the talent in society for both the upcoming and the famous visual artists who come together and display their works.
He also states that it is a place to tell individual stories of which many are cultural and share ideas. The exhibiting artists who have come from different backgrounds will change some narratives or represent it.
But in a broader sense, this exhibition is expected to further deepen the defined cultural identities in the industry, he said.