Welcome to Ada Dike's Blog: SNA Lagos State Chapter holds exhibition ‘October Rain 2014’ *Historic artworks on display

By ADA DIKE

In line with the celebration of 100 years of Nigeria’s amalgamation and its annual exhibition, a professional body for all practicing visual artists, the Society of Nigerian Artists (SNA), Lagos State Chapter holds its 16^th Annual Juried Art Exhibition.

Titled “October Rain”, “The Centenary: Nigeria @ 100” is the theme of the of the exhibition which will take place at the Nike Art Centre, #2 Elegushi Road, Ikate Roundabout, Lekki-Epe Express Way, Lagos, from Saturday October 25 to 29, 2014.

Under the Chairmanship of the Dr. Abiola Akinosho, Chairman, Solidra Circle; The Special Guests of Honour are Mr. Hasib Moukarim, Managing Director, Nigeria Gas and Steel Limited and Engr. P. O. Bamgbose-Martins, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, Lagos State.

The Guests of Honour are Mr. Wale Olagundoye, Managing Director, Exp. Marketing Nigeria Limited and Mrs. Ekene Okoroma, Curator, the National Gallery of Arts. The host is Mr. Dotun Alabi, the Chairman, SNA Lagos State Chapter.

Speaking to the press, Mr. Dotun Alabi revealed what guests should expect at the exhibition by saying that this year’s exhibition is unique as colourful artworks which express different issues and events that have happened in Nigeria since its amalgamation will be on display.

Chairman, Society of Nigerian Artists (SNA), Lagos State Chapter, Mr. Dotun Alabi (middle); the Treasurer, Mr. Idowu Sonaya (Right) and the General Secretary, Mr. W.

Okonyeh-Dixon

“We all know that this country is facing different challenges as a nation, we survived a civil war, we are still battling the scourge of terrorism by Boko Haram, and there is also economic hardship. So the centenary exhibition gives us an opportunity to reflect on some of the things that have happened within the last 100 years and also project the step we need to take to achieve a much better and civil country,” said Alabi.

In addition to what the Chairman of SNA, Lagos State Chapter said, the treasurer of the association, Mr. Idowu Sonaya, stressed that the exhibition will showcase a lot of talents. “We are trying to have a prospective view of what is affecting the country at 100 years and I believe that people will find a lot of historical information in the artworks that will be on display. I also want to use this opportunity to invite a lot of Art lovers, prospective buyers, Art connoisseur, Art collectors and the general public to come and celebrate with us, visit the exhibition and make some patronage,” he added.

In his speech, the General Secretary, Mr. W. Okonyeh-Dixon, said: “Why this year’s exhibition is different is that, apart from 100 years’ celebration, we also

have first of its kind special features including workshop for primary and secondary schools which will take place from 10 am to 11 am on Monday, October 27, 2014, 11 am to 12 noon on Tuesday, October 28, 2014 and 12 noon to 1 pm on Wednesday, October 29, 2014,” Okonyeh-Dixon emphasized.

According to him, there will be students’ interactive session and voting for outstanding works by guests. They implored schools and parents to bring their students and children to the workshop. “There will be artists’ awards at the event.”

Some of the exhibiting artists are: Prof. Bruce Onabrakpeya and Kolade Oshinowo, among many others including recently graduated students who have joined the society. “It is a platform for both old and young as their works would be put side by side at the exhibition,” Alabi revealed.

Some of the works for exhibition

In the Happy Woman, the artist inscribed so many things on it including: Dance, Happy, Homeland, Nigeria, African Style, Glad to be African and so. Dotun explained that it talks basically about joy and was done by one of their aspiring artists called Chigogbo (2014). It is indeed a very lovely piece.

The Headless Man, according to Dotun is an expression that has many meanings. “It has a political echo. For example, when you give away your conscience for a piece of meal or small amount of money, it means that you have cut off your head.”

The one made with carton materials was produced by Odun Orimolade. “It is a form of evolution. Orimolade actually used old portraits in that work to achieve a beautiful work. Based on the materials, you can see that the work is a contemporary one and it can fit into exhibitions in any part of the world. She is a lecturer in Yaba College of Technology, Lagos,” Alabi explained.

One wonders whether the work may spoil if water touches it, but Alabi said that the finishing is done to protect the work from spoiling when it is wet.

Kidnappers den made with newspaper cuttings shows the evil occurrence in our society.

The Aso-ebi is made with spray cans but covered with same kind of fabrics. “The Aso-ebi is stylishly tied in different styles, which gives one the idea of Africanness, especially the Yoruba people. If you look at the head-tie, you see some styles called ‘The Satellite, the Owambe’ and others.”

But a closer look at the Aso-ebi shows that the head-ties were beautifully tied in different styles, though the fabric were of the same style (just wrapped around the can) which is contrary to what is obtainable in reality as women don’t like sewing or wearing the same style to an occasion but may they wear the same material. The society’s chairman said it was due to the shape of the cans, adding that it would be difficult for the artist to design different style on the cans.

The Girl-Child painting is titled: "Greatness will emerge". Its a painting done by Ufuoma Peter Isiavwe.
It also means that the right of a girl-child and maintains that the girl-child’s right should be protected and the girl-child should be allowed to express herself. “When you look at the abduction of the Chibok girls, you know that it is affecting the nation, although we have got news that they will soon be rescued. It basically talks about the ability of the girl-child to be allowed to express herself,” Alabi explained.

One of the attracted pieces on display is the Ceramic Pot which was used in the past for fetching and storing water and other things. But artists supposed to explore the aesthetic beauty of using ceramics to work so as to maximize its potentials. One may not be wrong to say that ceramic works are few due to its fragile nature. “Last year, we had about three ceramic entries, but only have one this year. In fact, people now use more conventional ceramics materials to work that the ancient one.”

He explained further that a lot of artists are doing more of painting works than others because it is a little easier to use paints on canvas than sculpturing and carving. “Anyway, the October Rain is an open exhibition and people are allowed to chose any medium they wanted to exhibit and it is what they submitted that we accepted.”

Other works include: Banana seller, Royalty, sculptural works and so on.

Below, are some of the works that will be displayed at October Rain exhibition that is kicking off tomorrow: