UNILAG Creative Arts department inducts 150 students

Arts

Lagos, April 7, 2014  The President, Creative Arts Students Association (CASA), Mr Damian Enyaosah, said on Monday that the 150 students inducted into their department would encourage youths to get education in any field of their choice.



Enyaosah said in Lagos that the induction would also enable the students to understand their future challenges, while preparing to embrace the arts world.



``We want to enlighten them about the three different aspects of the arts they are to face, which is theatre, music and the visual arts.



``We want the creative arts to attract a lot of youths so that it would engage them and you know it has a lot of energy in the areas of dancing and music.



``It is one umbrella into three: theatre, music and visual arts. So it became creative arts, they can choose which area to specialise in,” he said.



The president noted that creativity can attract youths in a positive way and engage their minds; with that, they won’t stray.



``It is equally an avenue for the youths to express themselves, and the entertainment industry is growing so they need to be trained professionally.



``We have taken time to build the industry and the reputation, so we can afford to take the arts genres to the next level,'' he said.



Enyaosah, who is a final year student, however, said that he would hope for graphics, cinematography and film to be included in their curriculum.



``We need the technological advancement, the university management and the creative arts department management have been very understanding, I hope and believe they will grant us this one”.



The Coordinator of the induction, Mr Michael Ajimati, also a final year student, said: ``I have learnt from the professionals and so we want to impact it on new entrants in the school.



``We inducted them for them to know the challenges of theatre arts.



``I agree that theatre arts can be very tedious, but one can scale through with determination.



``Again, why it also looks as if it is tedious is because of the energy put into dance, plays and rehearsals all the time,” he said.



He pointed out that because of the three-in-one section involved in theatre, music and visual arts, some are not gifted in some, so they may find it difficult at first, but they do adjust.



``Some are afraid that arts is not moving in the country, so when they get out of school, how do they cope; they wanted it because they have a passion for it”.



The induction witnessed plays and other dancing acts.

Artistes urges for hope, despite challenges of life

Exhibitions

Lagos, March 14, 2014 A sculptor, Kehinde Adewuyi, on Friday urged Nigerians not to lose hope, despite the challenges of life.

Adewuyi said in Lagos that the human existence is full of ups and down but man must take courage to make life better.

He made this known at a media briefing to open his exhibition opens at Temple Muse, Victoria Island on March 24 to April 30.

The exhibition of 16 sculptures and 24 paintings are to be presented by Adewuyi and Uwatse, two Nigerian-France based artistes who speaks about human existence through their art works.

The artists who titled their works ``Affinity” have a deep commitment to drawing attention to the struggles and questions of human existence in the course of their works.

Adewuyi said that ``It has not been easy for people, life is tough out there but one must have hope, to succeed and survive.

``Cost of living is rising every day and people are becoming aggressive more than necessary.

``We live in fear and we do not love our neighbours as ourselves any more, these are the things I reflect on my works,” he said.

The sculptor explained that  he employ methods of exaggeration and elongation of the human figure to best portray and express my inner feelings about the subjects that he often see in his environment.

Adewuyi, who studied arts at the Ahmadu Bello University and uses the lost wax technique, which dates back to the 9^th century Igbo Ukwu tradition, to do his works.

He creates unique bronze sculptures which portray universal themes such as struggle, affection, and poverty.

His human elongated forms, with exaggerated feet and torsos either curled into themselves, or drawn out and extended beyond normal proportion, express a gravitas of the human spirit.

In a related development, Chinwe Uwatse, co-exhibitor, said that motherhood is being experienced by all and sundry, it is an interesting thing to behold and it touches everyone.

``As mothers we have a touch in every aspect of human life, so we have to celebrate it with happiness.

``It involves getting pregnant and bring out a human life like us and nurture them to adulthood and still advice where necessary,” she said.

She focuses on the female ethos, while studying at the University of Nigeria Nssuka, she used `Uli”, which is Igbo cultural tradition liquid form to express her works.

Uli is also used as a decoration on the walls and tattoos on women, and expresses symbols, which informs her arts on traditional architecture; and the joys of universal womanhood.

The curator, Sandra Mbanefo, said ``Uwatse’s intricate painting works and Adewuyi’s bold and massive sculptures equally express a deep affinity to the worlds’ suffering masses”.

``Their works complement each other, and show a unique African world view that is traditional and also very contemporary, realistic and also hopeful.”

The Temple Muse, Artistic Director, Avi Wadhwani, said ``we are delighted that Adewuyi and Uwatse’s amazing works are kicking off our artistic season this year.”

Both artists were born at the beginning of Nigeria’s independence 1959 and 1960 respectively.

They have over 20 years of artistic practice, drawn from rich cultural traditions that make their inspiration rooted in African history and identity.

 

Enlightenment, funding will improve art environment, says artist

Arts

Lagos, April 7, 2014 An artist, Isaac Emokpae, on Monday said the Nigerian artistic environment could be improved through funding and enlightenment.

Emokpae said at the venue of his exhibition at Wheatbaker Hotel, Ikoyi, Lagos, that funding would help to boost the artists’ creativity.

The exhibition opens from April 7 to April 30.

Which reflect the duality of humans, their soul and emotions, as encountered in everyday relationships.

“The artists create only to survive. This simply means that if they are not comfortable, they lose the edge that drove them initially.

``They need bursaries and grants to foster pure artistic pursuits, devoid of the need for profit.

``It is when artists are comfortable that we can then see an age of true genius in the visual arts sector.

``Now, what you see is that a lot of artists get stuck within a wall, rut for too long, and they wind up being creatively stagnant,” he said.

Emokpae, who started with photography, noted that with the enlightenment of the arts and showcasing them to the people, it would be less encumbered when the artistic expressions were exhibited.

“My sojourn into photography started simply because I needed references for my painting works. Initially I used magazine photos but it affected my work because most of the models were white.

``My Monad series is inspired by the work of philosophers like Liebniz, Descartes and Santayana,” Emokpae said. 

A curator, Sandra Mbanefo-Obiago, said that the artist's works existed on a spectrum, ranging from cartoon simplicity to opaque expressionism.

The exhibition, being sponsored by the Deutsche Bank, has 35 paintings on board and canvas.

Some of them are arts works titles are ``Confidant”, ``Harmony”, ``Over exposed”, ``Reeds”.

Emokpae studied painting at the University of Lagos, but has spent most of his professional life on photography-- in fashion and journalism.

He has won numerous awards, including the UNESCO "Save our Treasures" art competition in Troyes, France (1996), and the Hasselblad Masters (Semi Finalist Award) for Photography in 2007.

Emokpae paintings were featured in Arthouse Contemporary Auctions in 2013.

He is the son of a renowned Nigerian artist, Erhabor Emokpae (1934-1984).

 

 

DSTV bringing entertainment to families doorsteps in 20 yrs - Manager

The Marketing Manager of DSTV, Mrs Chioma Efe and the head of Communications, DSTV, Mr Segun Fayose at the presentation ceremony of winners of DSTV, promo of their 20 years in existence.

 

Mr and Mrs. Nduka Obiajulu, from Port Harcourt, won an all-expenses paid trip to watch the National Basketball Live Game in America.

 

 

Mr Gbenga Olumilua won an all-expenses paid trip to watch the Tennis tournament in Wimbledon.

 

Mr and Mrs. Nnaemeka Ejike won N200,000.

 

DSTV

Lagos, Nov. 1, 2013, The Marketing Manager of DSTV, Mrs Chioma Efe, on Friday said that the company had in the last 20 years, strived to keep families together by bringing entertainment to various homes.

Efe said in Lagos that the company brought entertainment to families’ door steps for their relaxation and for the families to enjoy themselves.

According to her, DSTV has been able to give Nigerians and other African nationals a lot of local content in entertainment.

``We cannot afford to live in isolation anymore; we have to showcase what we have to the world and marry it with entertainment in other climes so that they can see us.

``Nigeria and Africa as a whole have rich arts and culture that we should be proud of to showcase and tell our own story.

``That is why we manage to bring families, friends, nations together to see what is going on around the world and for  people to learn from the events, ‘’ she said.

Efe, however, said that it was not easy sourcing money to pay for the DSTV decoder, adding that such payment was not a waste.

``That is why we decided that at 20 years, we have to make our customers proud by making them win something at the promo we are organising for them.

``So we have to reward them one way or the other. We also know that everyone cannot win but we are thanking them,'' she said.

Mr and Mrs. Nduka Obiajulu, from Port Harcourt, won an all-expenses paid trip to watch the National Basketball Live Game in America.

Mr Gbenga Olumilua won an all-expenses paid trip to watch the Tennis tournament in Wimbledon.

Mr and Mrs. Nnaemeka Ejike won N200,000.

Obiajulu said that he was surprised when DSTV called to inform him that he had won, saying that he was initially skeptical.

He said that when he eventually responded, the company sent return tickets to him and his wife.

Obiajulu said that he won on the basis that his decoder was always on and recharged all the time.

 

Macmillan chief urges all Nigerians to contribute their quota to nation's development

Mr Tope Babayemi, CEO, Different Aesthetics, Arts and Culture Management and Mr Yinka Olaniyan, Executive Director, Macmillian Publishers Ltd at the media briefing, of 11th annual Literary Night in Lagos. 

 

 

 

Mr Tope Babayemi, CEO, Different Aesthetics, Arts and Culture Management; Dr Iyiola Adelekan, Managing Director, and Mr Yinka Olaniyan, Executive Director, Macmillan Publishers Ltd at the media briefing of the annual Literary Night in Lagos. 

 

Change

Lagos, Nov. 8, 2013, Mrs Francesca Emanuel, the Deputy Chairman, Macmillan Publishers Company Limited, on Friday, said every Nigerian had a role to play in making the country a better place.

Emanuel made the call at a media briefing, on the organisation’s forthcoming 11^th Literary Night entitled: ``Fix it, the Nigerian character” in Lagos.

According to her, Nigerians need to work towards achieving the desired change in the country, urging them to be proactive.

``We cannot continue to handle things with a fire brigade approach both as leaders and people.

``The change demands that the average citizen of Nigeria plays a prominent role of being responsible in order to move the country forward,” she said.

Mrs Emanuel was represented by Mr Yinka Olaniyan, an Executive Director, he urged Nigerians not to be complacent, lackadaisical and nonchalant to happenings in the country.

She noted that any responsible citizen would be worried about the negative perception of Nigerians internationally.

 ``A country that was conceived as the giant of Africa has descended far down the ladder due to character deficiencies in some of her citizens.

``The Nigeria green passport is always derided at entry points of other nations of the world,” she said.

According to Emanuel, Macmillan has resolved to pay closer attention to the solutions instead of focusing on the problems through its literary night.

``It is a way of tell people what they are not getting right and ways to correct them.

``We are aware that the factors like endemic corruption, violence, collapse of the family values and institutions are partly responsible for the present bad image of the country.

``We will not bemoan our fate any further; rather we would call out Nigerians through this event to bring about the desired change,” she said.

The yearly programme is scheduled to hold on Nov. 14, in Lagos.

It will feature dance drama, songs and poetry among others, with notable actors including Taiwo Ajayi-Lycett and Norbert Young performing.

 

Sculptures are not mostly deities - expert

 

Carving

 

Arts

Lagos, Aug. 28, 2013 An Artist, John Egwuatu, on Wednesday said that those regarding sculptures as mostly deities were not well informed about arts.

Egwuatu said this in Lagos that carvings could be used as decorations and sometimes as symbols of heroes or historical events.

``We have the religious aspects of carvings and we have carvings that are used for interior decorations.

``If we narrow it down, some carvings are used at homes, offices, while some are used in some places of worship, ‘’ he said.

Egwuatu said that people should be able to distinguish the sculpture used in places of worship and those ones for decorations.

He said that the carvings meant for places of worship were not usually sold in the markets and could only be got through specifications.

Also, Patrick Agose, Secretary, Universal Art Studio, National Theatre, Lagos, said that arts and carvings had been in existence for ages.

He said that artists used artworks and carvings to develop a lot of things.

Agose said that a sculpture would "become a deity when a person decides to bow before it, worship it and make it his God.

"Sculptures are objects that show aesthetics and beauty, ‘’ he said.

Agose said that sculptures could be used to document history or events and carved on stone or metal or wood.

``It (sculpture) is someone’s creativity and intellectual property.

``In fact, arts are becoming a goldmine now because the costs are outrageous and yet, people are really buying.

``So it brings a lot of revenue for the sellers. We should not forget that science, technology, philosophy and innovations started from arts,’’ he said.

 

 

 

 

 

Artists vow to resist evacuation from National Theatre

 

Protest

Lagos, May 3, 2013 The Lagos State Chapter of Society of Nigeria Artists (SNA) on Friday protested over the proposed evacuation of its members from National Theatre premises.

The protest was held in the Artists Village at the premises of the National theatre in Lagos.

Over 100 artists came out to protest the plans to evacuate them from the National Theatre building.

The protesters carried placards with different inscriptions like “Government should not deny us our right”, “Artists Village is an historic centre”.

Others are “We are going nowhere, “We will fight for our right to the last” and  “Even though the government provided alternative space, we are not moving”.

Mr Dotun Alabi, the Chairman, the Lagos State Chapter of SNA, said that Artists Village was the first community of artists in Nigeria and indeed in West Africa.

He said that the Artists Village had historical background of where the world famous artists of today were groomed.

``We are going to fight it with our last breath to ensure that they will not evacuate us from the premises of the National Theatre.

``The Artists village is the most exciting development in the culture sector in Nigeria in the last 50years.

“It is also the finest example anywhere in the world of the ``arms length`` principle that government applied to the Arts and Culture, `` Alabi said.

Mr Tope Babayemi, the Manager of Artists Village, urged the Minister of Tourism to upgrade facilities at the centre and also improve on the structures, rather than evacuate them from the area.

He described the Artists Village as the hub for all Nigeria Artists where producers, art writers, musical artists, dancers were being groomed.

``National Theatre is incomplete without the Artists Village because we add more value to the centre and also have the same aim at promoting Nigeria art and culture together.”

Mr Olaku Abiodun, a visual artist, advised government to involve experts in managing the Artists Village and improve it to international standard.

``The government has a verse land within the National Theatre premises to improve on facility, rather than to evacuate people from its environment, `` he said.

He urged the Federal Government to involve stakeholders in the industry in their policy making before taking any action and also carry artists along in their future development plans.