Art fair leads with colourful exhibition

ayodele johnson

November 5, 2017 7:43 PM

Artists with their paintings were seen tackling issues of identity, politics, conflict, and pop culture in myriad ways.

As 60 artists from 10 African countries came together for one of the biggest art fairs in West Africa, it seems Tokini Petersides dream of inspiring people through art had come true.

The Civic Center, Victoria Island, Lagos, experienced a huge turn out of an audience, ranging from students to elites and toddlers who came to experience the works of arts on display at the art fair on Saturday, November 4, 2017.

Speakers talked about the inextricable link between development and culture, emphasizing on digital technology, gender roles and most importantly, there were discussions on the use of art and culture as a tool to create jobs.

For instance, there is a work by Nigerian artist Rom Isichei, which shows the human form in their nuanced and animated postures when armed with a camera phone.

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According to him, "Digital technology has created a converging platform that documents memories, engenders enlightenment and shared beliefs. Yet, it has also radically reduced one-on-one interface."

Another Nigerian artist, Duke Asidere, evokes the everyday drama in his work with his thick brush strokes that create a visual imagery of contemporary African politics.

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Of course, Polly Alakija detailed her paintings of the everyday African woman and men.

Some of the other significant artists that form part of the line-up include sculptor Yinka Shonibare MBE, Polly Alakija, Jeremiah Quarshie from Ghana, Boris Nzebo from Cameroon, and Babjide Olatunji from Nigeria.

ayodele johnson

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