By Chris Onuoha

From the inception of contemporary art scene in Nigeria dating back to 50’s, the country regarded as the most vibrant art hub in Africa has witnessed various art schools such as ‘Uli School, Nsukka School, Oshogbo School, Zaria School, Abraka School, among others. Each of the existing schools has taken steps to propel movement that formed the bedrock of emerging art associations.

In the light of this, one of the founding fathers of Nigerian contemporary art, Bruce Onobrakpeya, well known for his unique style in visual print art, inaugurated few years ago a seemingly new movement called the Harmattan Workshop, established to give this peculiar art style voice in the saturated art schools.

R-L: Aladegbongbe Aderinsoye; Prof. Salubi Onakufe,(President VPAN); Dr. Kunle Adeyemi; Etim Ekpenyong and Olusegun Oduyele, at the pre-pre-exhibiton briefing in Lagos.

The protégés of this visual print art movement, having assiduously carved out a niche for themselves, deemed it timely to come up with a vibrant association called the Visual Printmakers Association of Nigeria (VPMAN).

The outcome of that deliberation birthed the maiden art exhibition coming up on October 28 and running till November 11, 2017, at Quintessence Gallery, Parkview Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos with the theme: “First Rhythm”.

The exhibition will be featuring notable professionals in that sector including Bruce Onobrakpeya, Uche Okeke, Olu Amoda, Salubi Onakufe, Kunle Adeyemi, Mike Omoighe, Timpre Willis Amah, Juliet Ezenwa, Maja-Pearce, Inyang Etiido Effiong, Ojo Olaniyi, Pius Emorhopkor, Moses Unokwa, and Igbinovia Omon Sophia among over 30 exhibiting members  with works done in various printmaking media.

According to the President of the Association, Prof. Salubi Onakufe, “The idea of establishing this organisation came and was conceived recently at the 15th Harmattan workshop of the professionals done at Agharaotorh in delta state at the studio of Bruce Onobrakpeya.

The foundation of this association was based on the series of production of beautiful works done by these professionals, and we decided that it’s time for the world to know and see us which birthed the Visual Printmakers Association of Nigeria.”

Dr. Kunle Adeyemi, Dean, School of Arts and Design, Yaba College of Technology and  founding member of the association said: “The essence of creating this association stems from the founder, Bruce Onobrakpeya, who propelled us to look at the wider areas to push the print making industry beyond studio.

This association will not be playing back what we have done long ago but will be experimenting into new vistas and new areas of findings to begin to introduce the world art landscape. It will involve artists of known names in this exhibition.”

Speaking further, Adeyemi stressed; “You may also recall that the Society of Nigerian Artist was formed in the scope of Zaria and later the founders put themselves together in a professional line. You cannot talk about artist in the country today without mentioning those founders.

This time around, this is an offshoot of that association of Printmakers Association of Nigeria. Today, we are doing this to launch the maiden edition of the printmakers association to show the world and art lovers of a sort that we have come a long way.

“What painting cannot do, print making can do it a number of times, in terms of reproducing. It is a democratic art that will be reproduced into many arts. With this move we want to create forum of discourse, seminars and exhibitions to reposition the print making sector in the global set. As print makers, we create employment, not only ascribed to one material like other arts. It cut across all materials as long as it is keyed into the basic principle of art. Currently, most schools are establishing print making unit to complement their art department because the sector cannot be overlooked in the art industry.” Adeyemi added.