By Japhet Alakam

IT was another great outing for multitalented artist/writer, Evelyn Osagie, known on stage as Evelyn D’Poet, as she took the message of peace and unity, that speaks against the state of violence and killings in the coming election to Somolu, a suburb of Lagos.  The event tagged: WORDS MEET IMAGES 2.0 which featured her TOGETHER SERIES Outdoor Art Exhibition and open-air poetry and musical performances, coming after a successful outing of her maiden edition in Agege, brought together traditional rulers, market women, students, pupils, street hawkers, journalists, members of Nigeria’s art community and other dignitaries at Apata Carnal at Oladeinde Street, off Apata Street, Somolu, Lagos.

WORDS MEET IMAGES   is a melting point that not only brings together different art forms, but also people from various places and social strata – this time its focus is on poetry and visual art (photography). The Togetherness Series had collection of images that explore the metaphoric interaction between men and their environment, animal and inanimate objects towards harmony and attendant power play, especially during election.

Her choice of Somolu for this edition, according to her, is because of its high concentration of people of different tribes. Not only that, Osagie noted that the place has nurtured and produced lots of talents on the street like Segun Adefila, founder of Crown Troupe of Africa.

Evelyn imagines photograph as unspoken  MEMORY  garnished with experience, frozen in time. The works (photographs of 16″ by 20″ sizes in coloured and monochrome) are either framed on firewood, bamboo and scraped wood with Uli and Nsibidi symbols and hung on trees, or placed on mat to show that art beautifies every space.  The images explore the metaphoric interaction between men, their environment (nature), animal and inanimate objects (bags) towards harmony and the attendant power play as it affects our existence.

The outdoor installation, with the theme: Vote With Ink Not Blood, depicts the usual appreciation of art on the street, showcasing how art can beatify not just the environment but the entire world. The works were mounted on the trees and mats along the canal. Not only that, human installation includes the use of market women, traditional wares and furniture to create a local milieu, meant to reignite the feeling of the old days.

The multi-talented artist who combines her experience in journalistic reporting and photography with artistic exposure, also took the lead during the trek through the long street beside the canal with her poetry performance, an action that was welcomed with applause by her guests and admirers , who also  hailed the works of art displayed on mats and trees. She urged Nigerians to vote wisely with ink and not their blood. This was depicted in some of the works displayed which she took while on assignments across the country.

Each of Osagie’s poetry performances, which include Sunrise, Women Arise and Somolu Symphony, is embedded with story worth decades and messages of love and unity.

“Catching each moment in a flash,” she says, “gives me the most satisfaction as an artist and journalist. Each piece is symbolic of the silent cry in our country today – PEACE. The need for peace in our polity at this time cannot be  over-emphasised. But to achieve a BETTER AND SAFER  Nigeria for all, the people must take proactive steps.

And employing the UNITY IN OUR DIVERSITY  is a major driver of the peace and harmony we dream of.” Evelyn who sees art as that vehicle for driving true change said:”My poetic performances and outdoor installations are, therefore, meant to remind us of the need for peace (both during and after the elections), while encouraging us to pursue peaceful means to making our cases known as we move towards another election year. If we forget the reason why we must fight for the peace and unity in our land, let art, nature, our children and animals remind us,” she said.