PHASES…CELEBRATING VISUAL ART FROM UNILAG

With a desire to promote arts from the University of Lagos (Unilag), a number of undergraduates and ex-students from the art school led by Odiakose Greg Onyeka, are staging a show from today, September 8 to 13 at the Terra Kulture, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The group exhibition entitled, Phases, will feature about 150 works by 15 artists including Ikyeleve David, Adeniran David, Obozuwa Osikhueme, Sunny Isaac, Odiakose Greg Onyeka, Olasumade Taiwo, Ngozi Igwe, Ifeanyi Egwu and Isimi Taiwo. Others are Oluwa Kole, Bakare Sheriff, Thomas Oji, Obadina Babatunde, Osisa Taye and Ogwa Uly.This is the first attempt by students of the art school to team up for a major exhibiion.

The initiator of the exhibition, Mr. Greg Onyeka Odiakose explained that from the inception of the University of Lagos until now, this is the first time they would be coming out as a school to exhibit together and this would involve students from all levels.

Odiakose stated further that the word, Phases, would continue to be the theme of the shows. ìProminent art schools are being showcased one way or the other in the market but none has come from Unilag. We decide to take the initiative ourselves, see how we can gather ourselves together and speak through our art works. We name it University of Lagos Art School because students would come in and out of it in future. It would be managed by the students who are involved. Hopefully, we will be running this yearly.

Mr. Bolaji Ogunwo, a Lecturer at University of Lagos noted: 'With this outing, the artistic tradition in the University of Lagos has invariably induced a remarkable alertness in the Nigerian art scene. He added Phases was a campaign of creative sensibilities heralding the emergence Unilag to the contemporary art scene.

According to him, trained artists from the art school have distinguished themselves in their different areas of specialization. ìThe show featuring postgraduates and undergraduates scholars of the visual unit of the department is an evidence that the University of Lagos Art School is a stratum in the artistic rung of Nigerian art school. This exhibition would bring to the public glare, the creative tendencies that permeate the Unilag art school.

We look forward to seeing these artists in the nearest future finding a common ground where their stylistic or thematic possibilities will share activity that may culminate into an art school or movement; a reminiscent of Zaria, Ife and so on.

Mr. Joseph Umoibom, General Manager, Terra Kulture, said the corporate body decided to support the artists because as it has been rightly observed that the school has not been featuring in exhibitions. ìWe want the products of University of Lagos to come out and showcase what they have and make the university also a name to reckon with as other schools.

The works, which range from conceptual art, realism, expressionism, abstracts, floral pieces to impressionalism, carving, metal and photography on oil colour, pastel and mixed media, speak volume about the artistic prowess in capturing the daily events and national issues.