By PRISCA SAM-DURU

AT the 2012 Arts Stampede organized by the Committee For Relevant Arts (CORA) held last Sunday at Freedom Park, Lagos, it was torrents of accolade for veteran artist, Bruce Onabrakpeya who turned 80. The man reputed as the most published and publicized artist in Nigeria was the subject of the stampede which was organized as part of activities to mark his 80th birthday and in recognition of his impeccable contribution to the promotion and preservation of Nigeria’s rich heritage as well as African art and culture.

This year’s art stampede tagged “From Brochure to Books; Emerging Trend In Visual Art Documentation” which  features one week programme, kicked off on Saturday with an exhibition of the celebrant’s works at the Nike Art Gallery, Lagos.

The event which was well attended by art collectors, patrons, art lovers and artists who showered encomium on Prof Onabrakpeya, the event also featured a discussion segment which was deliberately structured to capture his immense contribution to arts especially in the area of documentation, with particular emphasis on emerging trend in arts documentation.

*Bruce Onabrakpeya

The discussion had Tunji Lardner as moderator while panelists were Bisi Silva, Murktar Bakare, Sammy Olagbaju, Kunle Filani and Pat Oyelola. They  brainstormed on how to sustain new trends in visual art documentation with reference to some  existing books such as, Making History, African Collectors and The Canon of African Art by Sylvester Ogbechie; New Trees In Old Forests: Contemporary Nigerian Art in Lagos Private Collections, edited by Jess Castellote; The Architecture of Demas Nwoko, by Farafina Books; A Celebration of Modern Nigerian Art –101 Nigerian Artists, by Chukwuemeka Bosah and George Edozie; Ben Enwonwu: The Making of an African Modernist, by Sylvester Ogbechie.

Commending the celebrant for his achievements and impact on the progress of art, Secretary General of CORA, Tony Akinosho stated that beyond the fact that Bruce has been a patriarch of contemporary art, he has been very consistent adding that the icon  has proved how necessary it is for art to be seen beyond where it is exhibited.

Engr. Yemisi Shyllon, founder of OYASAF described Prof Bruce as a selfless artist who has affected the lives of so many young and budding artists in the country without considering any material gain. According to him, the veteran is the most experimental artist who uses a lot of techniques, noting that, “ he is most  publicized, very simple, selfless and I dare say that many artists have benefited from his benevolence. He doesn’t refuse invitation to events irrespective of who is involved”. He prayed that God will grant him more healthy years to be able to continue to prove his relevance to the industry.

Abstract expressionist, sculptor / painter  Ndidi Dike in her own contribution, described the celebrant as “an extremely encouraging artist who gives his time without monetary gain. He has been very consistent in the last fifty years and is an inspiration to me”.

Pat Oyelola,  an Art historian said Bruce is not just an icon of Nigerian or African art but an icon of world art because he has made a huge difference. Speaking further she said that Prof Bruce is a selfless artist who is concerned about the future of arts in Africa and therefore, is  an inspiration to many.

On the issue of art documentation, Oyelola  pointed that Bruce’s works are often poetic and very challenging which makes it necessary that works already done should be archived in order to capture memory of the moment, instruct or record for purpose of critical appraisal. She also stressed the importance of making publications of the National Gallery of Arts available in bookshops so that researchers and students would make good use of them.

Renowned curator, Bisi Silva, while showering praises on Bruce for his contributions to the growth of art in Nigeria and beyond, more especially, in the area of documentation, noted that much still has to be done in the area of distribution of the printed material to achieve its aim.

She said that publications should be regarded as more important than exhibitions especially for people who did not have the privilege of attending the exhibition.

The panelists were in agreement that Nigeria is endowed with many great artists who are unfortunately, not heard,  and that according to them makes the issue of documentation, a priority. They however commended artists who have been able to put up good books that capture progress made so far in the art industry in spite of numerous challenges Nigerians are facing, and advised that culture of reading and articulating what is documented should be imbibed.