An exhibition of 'NEW WORKS' by Nigerian Art Masters

Fred T. Adenekan
Aug 12, 2017
3 min read

Art exhibition at recently face lifted National Museum of art gallery at Onikan pulled in mixed of weekend museum goer and the hard-core, tech savvy Art lovers to pair on both evidence held at historical place as part of the tour stops into the 5 man show schedule to hold till Friday the 12th titled "New Works" staged by Gemini Art to warm the heart of the artwork chaser, lovers in this cold raining season. The event readiness started a day before the show that worked plans to adorned the blank walls of the exhibition room with work of Art from 4 painters and have the ceramic tilled floor garnished with pedestals that hold sculpture titled "maiden dance" and another circle bottom upstanding display with clinging souls on it named "United we stand" by sculptor Fidelis who during my interview with him on the red carpet speak volume especially about the works on the wall designated to him.. And our visitors expresses delight in the sculptures showed and talked about how they would like to continue on the journey with the sculptor and we bid them come on. The Music tromped opening saw the desire of the gallery to celebrate this shooting stars. And to keep with trend, the gallery plan to receive guest on a red carpeted area to rein in words that will be said about Art. And the usual known Or'dvre parade around the exhibition space was done at a station next to music for entertainment. All these pomps automatically put the show in the league of parties you see around the city on weekend but the red carpet reception make it unique. The artists limit the attraction to show the " New Works" as the gallery planned when they only spoke few words on the carpet but rather let Art speak in the work on display. It was nice to see Messer Nyemike Onwuka again after a break from the last show, who gave a brief interview on the red carpet that didn't spare me an audience until I met him on the floor with the other veteran artist Duke Asidere who is sharing this show with him talk a blue streak about the philosophy that hold true to him when he creates. The exhibition has a solid air of arrangement that greets the visitor like the wall that hold Mr Duke's work patterned to be L shape that connect the adjacent wall that hold Mr Odogwu's both "Water fiesta" and "Social circle" pieces to an opening that lead out of the first room to the second room that welcome you to the wall that hold Mr Ola Balogun's three pieces work which makes another L shape to hold the rest of the works from him. This room though held three artists works on display, has a wall with only two pieces from an elderly Artist with supreme veteran status that is the highlight of the show. Mr Abiodun Olaku beside all his accolades, also his art is highly sought after for his interesting scenarios, styles and subjects in his work and always have command great deal of respect. Last wall leading back out of the second room is adorned with work from Mr Onwuka whose penchant is known for dripping paint, I overheard a guest said what she loves about his paintings are dripping feeling on the work and it confirm my observation too that it is a trademark. The artist 4 series Swaga paintings and the liberation are his witnesses to this effect. I salute the effort, determination and commitment to Art that I see displayed by gallery patron, staff, guest, dedicated art lover who came to pay homage this love shown to Art in the public space. Thanks!!!!.