Works exhibited during SNA 17th anniversary

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BY ADA DIKE

17th edition of October Rain by the Society of Nigerian Artists (SNA), Lagos State chapter was successful.

The annual juried exhibition which opened on October 24, 2015 at the Nike Art Centre, #2 Elegushi Road, Ikate Roundabout, Lekki-Epe Express Way, Lagos, was a wonderful voyage into the minds and eyes of creative genius.

With the theme, “Open House”, the exhibition featured a pot pourri of artists based in Lagos, the nerve centre of artistic practice in Nigeria and outside Lagos.

Badmus

True to what the Chairman, SNA (Lagos), lecturer and painter, Mr. Dotun Alabi Alabi, said before the exhibition, works showcased were in different media and a testimony to the versatility of the Nigerian artists. This year’s exhibition was, in its usual tradition showcased 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 was 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 featured in this exhibition. We encouraged other chapters to be part of the show and it became a collective thing as Lagos is known as the commercial state.”

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.

Royal Procession

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.

Almost 40 artists submitted their works for exhibition.  A member, Exhibition Committee, kinetic and sculptor, Mr. Biodun Badmos showcased two works at the exhibition. He revealed how he got inspiration to create the works. “I asked myself, “what can I do?” some people use fire. Out of nowhere, an idea came and I started using it. My star work was rugged.”

 Asked whether the deepest part of it was enhanced with burning and he said he used a machine to do it. “There is a way I compress it to create the light, middle and deep tones. It is a technique I developed. I didn’t get it from any artist.”

He called the artwork ‘Faces of Africa’. When you say faces, it means you have different factions, tribes, nationalities and background coming together in unity and in oneness. That is why we Africans can be united.  Another one is called ‘Royal Procession’. He explained that the work can be viewed from another perspective because it has a political undertone. “We have the new Sheriff in town. Just like the forces of light is coming in to overshadow the forces of darkness, if we have a procession like this, it means, they are celebrating change and that is what Nigerians are looking for- the change that can bring about development in Nigeria.”

 But, this writer pointed out to Badmos that the Royal Procession depicts a picture of a group of people from one section of the country and he said: “Yes, It depicts people from the Northern side of the country. We have the Northern hegemony but, some people think that it is something that has actually been there for too long so there must be diversity. Sometimes, we diversify an idea and the diversification is not yielding any result. Why don’t we go back to the basics when things are going normal? I want to tell you something. Truly speaking, I am not a religious fanatic neither do I embrace any particular religion. My father was a Muslim, my mother was a Christian. But I want to see a change, even if it comes from the North, as long as we have a change that can better the lives of Nigerians, I will be happy.”

Another artist who spoke to Newswatch Times concerning his works is Mr. Animu Oboirien. Describing his work, the sculptor said his works involved various kinds of materials such as metal, copper wire, silver, bolts and nuts which he used to express ideas in conformity with contemporary artistic practice as it is done around the world. “The works exhibited are sculptures produced through juxtapositioning of different materials. The mediums are rendered through the technique of metal fabrication (welding), binding and bolts and nuts as reinforcement techniques,” says the experimental artist with vast experience whose works are innovative, captivating and mind boggling.

The Face of Man

Two works he exhibited in the October Rain are: ‘Family’ and ‘The Face of Man’. ‘Family’, according to him, is made of metal fabrication, copper wire, and the finishing was done with interplay of spiral lines running across themselves. “These effects were achieved through grinding process. Using the angle grinding machine as a tool, I was able to achieve the textures on the surface of the sculpture.”

 As a mixed media sculptor, he has a way of playing with materials which is evident in his binding technique. He used copper wire to bind various parts of this sculpture. The technique of binding, according to him, although very tedious was able to achieve through patience.

“The Face of a Man’ is similar to the technique of juxtapositioning of materials through metal fabrication, motifs, and binding technique. They only vary in terms of purpose.”