1. Art
history and civilization
Art is a measure of
civilization. The first thing that puts
Nigeria on the map of the world is her art.
The Nok terra cottas, Igbo Ukwu figurines, Benin and Ife bronzes and
other antique works produced in the past have classed us as part of world
civilization. The works of our modern
pioneer artists like Aina Onabolu, Ben Enwonwu, Felix Idubor, Lamidi Fakeye,
Ladi Kwali, and others are iconic and constitute very important legacy.
The post independence period of
Nigeria produced a group of artists who were members of the Zaria Society to
which I belong. Their philosophy of
synthesis (recourse to the roots and fertilization from abroad) created a
revolution which is reputed to have forged a direction for contemporary and
modern Nigerian art. They are Yusuf
Grillo, Simon Okeke, Uche Okeke, Demas Nwoko, Emmanuel Odita, Josephine Omigie,
Nwagbara and Felix Ekeada.
One must mention that El Anatsui, a
younger generation artist who has gained international reputation, although
Ghanaian born, but matured in Nigeria.
2. Art
and Environment
Villages, cities and town squares,
buildings and parks are beautified with art.
Historical monuments like soldier Idumota (now in Abuja), sculptural
portraits of Dr Nnmadi Azikiwe in Onisha, Herbert Macaulay in Yaba and, Obafemi
Awolowo in Ikeja, the prancing horses at Tafawa Balewa Square in Lagos make
visits to these places memorable and interesting. Sculpture gardens both at
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and at the Auchi Polytechnic are examples of
parks that have been beautified with art.
These and vast indoor decorations of murals, stained glass and mosaic in
many of our buildings, including places of worship are proofs of the relevance
of visual art in the society.
3. Art
and Diplomacy
Because of the art shows they hold
abroad and the good image of the country that the artists’ works project, our
artists are regarded as “ambassadors.”
Also, Timothy Fasuyi while holding the post of Nigerian Federal Art
Adviser was on the basis of art, at the United Nations Assembly in New York to
present our cultural policy.
I have had numerous art exhibitions
abroad and my art works have been used to fulfill diplomatic roles by the
federal government. In 1996 my art piece
was given as a present by Dr. Walter Ofonagoro, the then minister of
information to Saddam Hussein, the then Iraqi president. It earned me a travel
grant to visit Iraq and experience their art and culture and only two years
ago, my art work “Oracle” was acquired for our President Goodluck Ebelle
Jonathan as a present to President Barack Obama of the United States of
America. So many of my friends tell me
they see my paintings adorning the walls of Aso Rock when the President is
holding the cabinet meeting with his ministers. They see them when watching the
television.
4. Art
and Politics
Artists use their works to draw
attention to what goes on around them.
An example is a body of work called “Totems of the Delta” which I
created to draw attention to the environmental impact of oil exploration and
extraction in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.
During the Nigerian pre-independence
political era, a Nigerian artist, Akinola Lasekan drew powerful cartoons in the
pages of the West African Pilot, which became weapons in the political struggle
championed by Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe and others for the emancipation of Nigeria
from colonial rule. In the ongoing electoral campaigns, artists use their
cartoons in funny ways to disseminate information on the pages of newspapers.
5. Art
and the Nigerian Economy
Art and craft is a renewable source
of wealth for any nation. In our country
Nigeria, it employs a great number of people and alleviates poverty. Traditional crafts men and women and those
trained in schools and workshops create items which we use for dressing,
furniture and ornaments. These have huge
local and foreign patronage which create immense wealth for the country.
6. Art
and Tourism
Our art and craft attract a large
number of people, local and foreign to our markets, boutiques, art galleries
and museums, carnivals and traditional festivals. Art supports tourism which is
estimated to employ eighty per cent of labour force when we consider services
that have to be provided by the hospitality and transport industries. To reap its maximum benefits as alternative
source of income to oil, we need more investments in infrastructure and
security for the safety of lives and property.
7. Secondary
Art Market, Art Auctions and Super Prices
Relatively new developments on the
Nigerian art scene include the appearance of secondary market in which one can
resell art works and the institution of auction houses which sell art to the
highest bidders. Both artists and art
collectors have experienced surprises as pieces fetch high or super
prices. Auctions become a gauge for
measuring the importance of an artist or an artistic trend. They help discover new artists particularly
the younger ones. Older art works and works of more established artists tend to
fetch more money in those markets.
It is important also to mention that
collectors would rather buy works from artists who are faithful and enduring in
their commitment to the practice of art, and in the process gain reputations
which invariably add to the value of their pieces. In case you have an art work to sell you can
consult any of the following auction houses which organize consistently about
two times in a year. They are The Art House Contemporary Limited and the Terra
Kulture Ltd. Terra Kulture is in partnership with Mydrim Gallery, Nike Gallery
and recently, the Signature gallery.
8. Art and Investment
Art works now enjoy investment value
in Nigeria. Like gold, landed property,
stocks and shares, one can invest in art and expect good returns. Also, art works are now being accepted by the
banks as collaterals for loans. This
development calls for a new line of study which can be called “art valuation”
9. Art
and Religion
This talk on the relevance of visual
art in the society will not be complete if I do not mention the role which art
plays in religion in the present Nigerian society. First, I’d like to say that the use of art
for religion is growing. The murals and
sculptures including my works in St. Pauls Catholic Church, Ebute Metta, Lagos,
until recently before they were removed from the walls are an eloquent example
of the use of art in religion. Stained
glass works by Yusuf Grillo and David Dale are visible in many of our churches
in Lagos. Many of the churches are
replete with carvings and paintings which help convey the essence of
Christianity. However there is a kind of
negative attitude which is working against the use images in holy places
particularly when local figures, motifs and symbols are employed. The issues become serious as the trend
extends to decorations and art works in our city squares and public
places. A beautiful and imposing Ikenga
sculpture was pulled down in one of the south eastern states of Nigeria.
Similarly, actions have been taken
against sculptural monuments at the Warri round about in Delta state and on the
campus of University of Ibadan, Oyo state.
We know that visual art which is
part of culture is not static but dynamic, and accept that no one should impose
any idea through art on any community or society. However, the world is now a global village,
and through technological advancements, a lot of people can easily be
assimilated into other cultures, thereby losing the sense of who they are. Artists should be commended for being an
important agent in the transfer of our timeless values from one generation to
another.
