By JAPHET ALAKAM
FOR many art collectors and lovers who have been looking for how to acquire knowledge about art works in the Lagos art market, a new window of opportunity was opened last week as a new book that celebrates the rich expressions, accomplishment and creative talents of Nigerian artists and their works in private collections in Lagos titled; Contemporary Nigerian Art in Lagos Private Collections was officially presented to the public.

Presented at the Metropolitan Club, Victoria Island, Lagos, the occasion anchored by Bolanle Austen Peters of TerraKulture can only be described as another encouraging prospect for the Nigerian visual arts as it was graced by eminent personalities, especially art collectors, promoters, artists and many art lovers.

Among those who witnessed the events  were; Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe (Agbogidi) the Obi of Onitsha and Chief Sunny Oyekunle, who represented Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo III – The Alake of Egbaland. Others were; Prince Yemisi Shyllon, Bankole Olayebi of Book craft, Sammy Olagbaju, Frank Okonta, Rasheed Gbadamosi  and Jess Castellote, the Editor.

As Africa joins other countries of the world  in the more and more vibrant global art market the need for Nigeria to document the stories on the business of art collecting in Lagos, which is arguably, one of the most important art centres in the continent formed the choice of the book.

The book which is coming on the heels of similar efforts by the duo of Ben Bosah and George Edozie titled, A celebration of modern Nigerian artists, 101 Nigerian Artists and Professor Sylvester Ogbeche’s Ben Enwonwu:The Making of An African Modernists  is in fulfillment of Sammy Olagbaju and Jess Castellote’s shared desires to open doors to homes of collectors in Lagos state and highlights issues relating to art collecting, art management and practice.

In his opening remarks, the sponsor of the book, collector and chairman of the Visual Arts Society of Nigeria VASON, Sammy Olagbaju  said art is one thing Nigerians does well described the book as the first of its kind and his own little contribution to the development art in Nigeria.

“It is one impact or landmark for celebrating artists. The book is a focal point to artist and their works and people will use it and get where their works are.” He  said. He however pointed out that the publication took them many years to write as it was not an easy task going to many collectors to take images of their works.

The editor of the book, Castellote  described by many as the best export from Spain said that the celebration was about a mission he embarked on two years ago. “I embarked on the mission two years ago but never knew that it was interesting as it took me too many homes and offices.” Continuing he added that, “the main focus of the book is to unearth some of the hidden talents in Nigeria as we need more people to see some of the works of artists.

The  book according to him

is a fragment of a reality that is complex with snapshots. He highlighted some of the academic benefits of the book and enjoined cultural institutions, curators and critics to come to arts and build institutions that will promote art.

In his erudite and descriptive review, Femi Lijadu, a lawyer and art collector described the book, Contemporary Nigeria Art in Lagos Private Collections with a sub title New Trees in an old Forest as a quintessential reference book of contemporary Nigeria art.  In his part, Igwe Nnaemeka, Agbogidi, The Obi of Onitsha, an avid art collector who was the special Guest of Honour, commended the collaborative effort of Sammy and Jess in producing the good work.