With ‘Open House’, 17th October Rain 2015 begins Oct 24

BY ADA DIKE

As preparations for the celebration of 17th edition of October Rain is set, the Society of Nigerian Artists (SNA), Lagos State chapter have implored the public to attend and enjoy variety of events including aesthetic artworks that will be on display.

The annual juried exhibition which opens on October 24, 2015 at the Nike Art Centre, #2 Elegushi Road, Ikate Roundabout, Lekki-Epe Express Way, Lagos, according to the leadership of SNA, Lagos State chapter, promises to be a wonderful voyage into the minds and eyes of creative genius.

With the theme, “Open House”, Newswatch Times gathered that the exhibition shall feature a pot pourri of artists based in Lagos, the nerve centre of artistic practice in Nigeria.

Chairman, SNA (Lagos), lecturer and painter, Mr. Dotun Alabi Alabi, at a press briefing in Lagos recently, hinted that: “Works on show shall be in different media and a testimony to the versatility of the Nigerian artists. This year’s exhibition will in its usual tradition showcase works by fellows of the society like: Prof. Bruce Onabrakpeya, Late Pa Ojeikere, Kolade Oshinowo, Dr. Kunle Adeyemi. Dr. Kunle Filani, Mr. Abiodun Olaku, Mr. Abraham Uyovbisere and a host of others including the new members just participating for the first time like Joan Adah, Olubusola Adenekan and Oluseyi Oyenukan.”

Alabi noted that “Most importantly however, this show will be an indication of what is up ahead. There are plans on the way to further enrich SNA’s yearly programming by creating different exhibiting platforms reflecting the varying membership categories existing in SNA such as: Full Member, Master Artists and Fellows. This we hope shall be a sustaining move to grow the society.

A member of the planning committee and Secretary to the society, Mr. N. Okonye-Dixon added that: “This exhibition is more of a low key exhibition because of the economy we are facing right now in Nigeria. The entry spreads out of Lagos because there some people from Port Harcourt Chapter who will be featuring in this exhibition. We are trying to encourage other chapters to be part of the show so that it will be a collective thing as Lagos is known as the commercial state, that is why are having other chapters interested in the show.”

He appealed to the state and federal governments to support and encourage the society in any way they can. “It has been a kind of challenge to the society so, we hope that in the 2016 October Rain exhibition, we will be able to have a support for the exhibition from the governments.

Expatiating on theme of the exhibition, Mr. Biodun Badmus said the exhibition is based on different kinds of words, ideas and works of artists. “Any kind of artist’s work will be exhibited. It is an open one.”

Present at the conference comprised the leadership of SNA, Lagos and the planning committee of this year’s October Rain. And they included: Chairman, SNA (Lagos), lecturer and painter, Mr. Dotun Alabi; Secretary (SNA, Lagos), N. Okonye-Dixon; Secretary on October Rain Committee, Oyenuka Oluseyi; Member, Exhibition Committee, Ekpo Udo Udoma; Member, Exhibition Committee, kinetic and sculptor, Mr. Biodun Badmos; Member, Exhibition Committee, painter, Mr. Emmanuel Obonyil; Member, Exhibition Committee, Mr. Godwin Ugherebe; and Member, Exhibition Committee, Mr. Animu Oboirien among others.

“The SNA was founded in 1963 by artists emerging from various schools and colleges of art and members of Zaria Arts Society and is the professional body for all practicing artists in Nigeria. Lagos State Chapter was formed in 1981 and it inherited the Independence Day Exhibition which was started by the national body. However, it was at the turn of the century that it was re-christened October Rain. The name has fully come to stay.”