IN line with its mission of propagating rich cultural and artistic resources of Nigeria, the Thought Pyramid Art Gallery, Abuja is perfecting arrangement to stage a one-of-its-kind exhibition of art works by master artists such as Ben Enwonwu, Ben Osawe, Erhabor Emokpae, Bruce Onobrakpeya, Okpu Eze, Rufus Ogundele, Muraina Oyelami, Jimoh Buraimoh, Abayomi Barber, David Dale, Kolade Oshinowo, Bisi Fakeye and Taiwo Olaniyi (Twin Seven-Seven).Tagged Beyond Imagination, the show, which will run from November 24 to December 1, 2011 at the premises of Thought Pyramid Art Gallery, Wuse II, Abuja, is being designed as homage to the masters of Nigerian visual art industry. As part of the gallery's last-quarter-of-the-year activities, works of art to be displayed are carefully selected to meet the taste of collectors, patrons and connoisseurs.Last year, the gallery staged similar exhibition of works by selected masters titled Generational Statement to commemorate Nigeria's 50th independence anniversary.The exhibition, which is being curated by the gallery's Creative Director, Mr. Jeff Ajueshi, 'is created to explore the rich creative archives of Nigeria's bright and brilliant masters whose collective artistic efforts underscore the competence, creativity and deep imagination of the first and second generations of Nigerian visual artists,' Ajueshi said.On display, he explained, 'will be authentic plastographs and prints of Bruce Onobrakpeya; the apogee of creativity of Osogbo heritage exemplified in raw colour application by Rufus Ogundele; the magical richness of beads by Jimoh Buraimoh and the masterful patchy palette of Muraina Oyelami; the colour brilliance and illustrative mastery by Kolade Oshinowo; and the African surrealism of Abayomi Barber.'There are also those folkloric analyses in the creativity of Twin Seven-Seven, the mystical contraption inherent in the manipulation and the fluidity of expression in the wood works of Ben Osawe, the symmetric and asymmetric technicalities in the art and design of David Dale and many more from the stables of the masters. In all, the show will present 30 worksby 11 participating artists and two guest artists namely Erhabor Emokpae and Okpu Eze.'These artists, the curator asserted, are household names that need no introduction. 'We may be familiar with them and what they stand for in the realm of art and creativity. The truth is, we can never have enough of their diverse works, which are selected for this show and are bound to arouse our emotions - beyond our imagination. These great works are better appraised beyond the imagination of the master artists; that is why each of them will communicate to us in different ways. They are painstakingly sourced by the Gallery for the public that has yearned for them over the years.'Ajueshi is delighted about the quality of the works to be displayed. 'Ben Enwonwu and Abayomi Barbers's outstanding pieces underscore the show's quality. How does one appraise Meeting of Elders by Jimoh Buraimo, Togetherness by Bruce Onobrakpeya (created in 1983) and Sacrifice by Bisi Fakeye done in 1990' There are also works of high degree of creativity and artistic competence such as Okpu Eze's 1968 piece titled Ajala, executed in the combined media of wood and metal and Muraina Oyelami's Hope, a 2001oil-on-board piece, which are only reminiscent of these masters' diverse styles. Erhabor Emokpae's oil-on-board painting called Untitled executed in1978 and Ben Osawe'swood sculpture of 1971 titled Kingfisher combine creative force with Animal in Political Conference by Twin Seven Seven, In the Midst of Plenty, a 1988-piece by Rufus Ogundele; David H. Dale's 1984 engraving titled Bloosom 1 and other works by Kolade Oshinowo and Rufus Ogundele.'For Thought Pyramid Art Gallery, the regular exhibition of works by masters 'is a way of regenerating the standard of art for which Nigeria has always been known. Although, the Gallery has also consistently showcased the works of many young Nigerian artists, this unique idea of focusing attention on the masters rekindles our penchant for professionalism and standard,' he noted.Ajueshi added: 'In the explosion of creativity in contemporary approach to art and in view of diverse sensibilities of modernity, the Gallery still believes in the implosion of legacies of unparallel creativity, uniqueness, originality and competence ' all of which these masters stand for and represent in their works. The works also represent an aspect of the best in us.
Click here to read full news..
