… SNA honours Rasheed Gbadamosi too

By Chris Onuoha

When a big masquerade appears in the marketplace, says an Igbo proverb, the smaller ones dive for cover. But this will not be the case when the living legends of Nigerian Art Community comprising Yusuf Grillo, Abayomi Barber, Bruce Onobrakpeya, Banjo Fasuyi, Dele Jegede, Jerome Elaiho, Bisi Fakeye, Nike Okundaye, and Kolade Oshinowo, among others, will appear to shield and rub off masterly influence on emerging ones in a show classified as symbolic art rush in Lagos tagged “2017 October Rain”.

The Society of Nigerian Artists (SNA) Lagos Chapter in their 10th edition of the annual art exhibition showing from October 28 to November 6 at the National Museum, Onikan will also do the extraordinary by compelling these foremost founders of the SNA who have initially given their blessings, to come out of their reclusive enclave to invoke the god of art upon the land, with a collection of their masterly works.

Speaking to the media on the upcoming event, Chairman, SNA Lagos, Dotun Alabi, through the Chairman, October Rain Planning Committee, Yusuf Durodola said; “This year’s exhibition series, which marks the 10th anniversary, is intended to celebrate Lagos at 50. It is equally dedicated to the loving memory of an illustrious son of Lagos State and a great Nigerian Art Patron, Late Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi.

The exhibition will be featuring different genres of art, including painting, sculpture, ceramics, textile, mixed media, and conceptual works from performance, Cartoons, experimental art, and drawings. Rasheed in his own right is very symbolic as he was noted to be the greatest collector of art in Nigeria before his demise some years ago.”

Other masters who will feature in the exhibition include Kunle Filani, Kunle Adeyemi, Olu Ajayi, Abiodun Olaku, Bunmi Babatunde, Edosa Ogiugo, Mufu Onifade, Hamid Ibrahim, Jelili Atiku, Rukeme Noserime, Sam Ovraiti, Olu Spencer, Dotun Alabi, Stella Awoh, Biodun Kafaru, Aimufia Osagie and many other prominent Nigerian artists. Also participating are emerging artists like Nzennaya Barry, Olawuyi Samuel, Kehinde Badmus, Anthonia Nneji, Ogunkunle Niyi and others.