The 9th edition of  The National Art Competition,  an annual art competition promoting contemporary African art and raising awareness on social issues, held its grand finale on December 1.

Out of 12 talented finalists,  3 winners were chosen – the first place winner (who is now ¦ 2 million richer), and the ‘Best Concept’ and ‘Best Production’ winners (both ¦ 1 million richer).

We met up with 3 of the winners to discuss their work, their inspiration, and plans for the future:

Uzoji Godwin –  Homelessness, Despair and Hope  (1st Place)

Uzoji Godwin’s work which shines a light on the issues that surround the conditions of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Nigeria won the artist first place in the competition.

Speaking with  Konbini  about his work and what inspired him:

“In the media, there is a lot of hype about efforts being made to look after IDPS, but when you actually visit these camps you discover that its actually all cosmetic – that’s what my work tries to capture.

There’s a tent, but because of the material used to create it, in this case coconut shells, we have a shelter that can’t actually provide any  protection

The  work is a call to Nigerians to  get started  helping these people, because it could easily be any of us in that situation.”

• Ayinla Olajumoke, daughter of Barrister Kunle Oyatomi, a former Editor of Sunday Vanguard and current Director of Publicity, Osun State APC

Ayinla Oluwajumoke –  Moving Pieces  (Best Concept)

Ayinla Oluwajumoke’s  Moving Pieces, a piece about shifting boundaries on the way to becoming your full self, earned the first-time artist the best concept award.

Speaking with  Konbini  about her work, Olajumoke said:

“The first stage indicates possibility, the second indicates focus, the third indicates potential, the fourth indicates reflection, and the final stage, the butterfly, brings everything together to show that no stage in your life should be hated – they should all be embraced.

“I realized that there are things that might look like failures to others but actually make us stronger. The loss of my child made me realize that I was stronger than I ever even knew – and that’s what inspired my work.”

Atonye Lamie –  On A Second Thought  (Best Production)

Atonye Lamie’s  sculpture  focuses on how our thinking as a nation  has brought us to the point of economic recession and environmental  pollution especially in the Niger Delta.

Speaking with Konbini about what inspired his work, Atonye said:

“I think Nigeria lost focus when we shifted our attention from Agriculture to oil, and the work is trying to remind us to shift back to agriculture and other resources that once placed Nigeria at a better economic position.

I realized that what builds and destroys a nation is the way her people think – I want my project to get Nigerians thinking.”