BY JAPHET ALAKAM

Rodney Askhia is the CEO of Tribes Art Africa, one of the leading galleries located in VGC Lekki,Lagos, a graduate of Electrical/Electronics from Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma. The young man who is supposed to be working in one of the power sectors or telecommunications giants is into arts. How did he get into it, what was his mission and how has he been doing business in the art industry. These and others sundry questions were thrown to him in this chat with Sundat Art. Excerpts.

Can you tell us about yourself?

Rodney Askhia , CEO of Tribes Art Africa

Rodney Asikhia is a graduate of Electrical/Electronic engineering Ambrose Alli University, I was brought up in a creative environment, at a young age- my parents exposed me to Art, music, entertainment and culture. We travelled a lot when I was growing up and I loved people, their culture which I found different and unique. God. I am a Christian. I love wine, Art and life.

As an Engineer, I design software, application, video content applications, Games, web sites and network with a touch of class. As an Artist I paint, draw and mainly collect and promote art. I produce music as well as entertain. I enjoy everything I do and I am passionate about Art. I can spend time painting and share quality moment with artist in their studios. These memories I cherish forever.

Since you are an engineer by profession, how then did you come into arts?

I remember when growing up that I had lots of coloring books, comics and in my primary 3,4 and 5 we had a very active art teacher who loved creating. So, I always found myself in the Art studio during breaks. He had a television program on NTA then, and I never missed it. My parents respected and encouraged me a lot. I remain thankful for that so much. If I was not on television creating Art, I was camping as a boy scout, or inventing.

When I got to secondary school I was quick to make friends who shared similar interest. The creative director at the gallery was my friend and mate in secondary school.

As time went by, I visited galleries, found art studios and started collecting. I started buying Art at the age of 14. I organized my first Art exhibition at 17. It was titled winds of change held at the Leventis Foundation, Abibo Oki, Marina, Lagos in 1994.

What is your mission and how have you achieved it in the art industry?

My mission is to promote Nigerian art. Over the years I have channeled my energies towards using the Arts not only as an instrument of investment and esthetic, but also as a medium to educate and create awareness on global issues that has threatened mankind. Such events are “Sex and secrets” an art exhibition fostering awareness on HIV (AIDS), “My world, your Earth and our Planet” Exhibitions with works that educate on Pollution issues which cause global warming, erosion and desertification. “Our world Today” an Exhibition of Art touching issues as child abuse, education and health care to mention a few.

You organised the first Nokterra art auction in 2009, why and what was the success level of that effort?

Art is a product that out lives mankind. The Nokterra Art auction is a publicly held event at which art is sold to the highest bidder. It serves to document the exchange and was created to create a transparent process where Art can be purchased by clients and Art Lovers. Furthermore as a brand, it provides a platform for resale in the future when you and I will not be available to appraise and exchange the same.

We had the first auction in December 2009 at the Lagos Motor boat club, Awolowo road, Ikoyi, Lagos State and it was successful. We are currently working for the 2nd edition of the Nokterra Art auction which will hold between October and December, 2011.

Last December you also organised an art fair tagged The beauty of life, What was it all about?

The beauty of life was the theme for the first ever Art fair organized by Tribes Art Africa. The vision behind the fair is to create a unique avenue where new Art, painting, craft, books, fashion and installations can be exhibited, appreciated and exchanged. Programmes like Sound Art, Video Art and new media in the Arts are encouraged. It will be a yearly event that hopefully will bring a lot of people from far and wide.

With this event we hope to create job opportunities, promote and boost the appreciation of Art in Nigeria. Once we have one or two good sponsors. We hope to use this Annual Art Fair to support tourism in Nigeria. The Fair is designed to move from state to state in the near future.

Are you sure that you are not driven into the art business because of money?

LOL, Money does not have the Power to drive me into Arts. I hope to see the sector grow and develop. I believe our children will thank me for my involvement in the future. History will tell.

Your question will be more relevant when a work of Nigerian Art sales for 56 million great British pounds. My focus is to make this happen via promotion, cross cultural exchange and education. I am driven by passion and happiness I derive from the Arts.

There is always the complaint by stakeholders that art is not well appreciated in Nigeria, if yes, how do you think that art can be well appreciated in Nigeria?

Yes, the appreciation is low but Nigeria is a developing nation, the government through the National Gallery of Art is currently working from my experience as chairman, Media & Communication-Art Galleries Association of Nigeria. You will agree with me if you have attended any of the international art expo which will host its 4th edition this year that we have witnessed development in the industry as against previous years.

I know a few Artist and galleries that benefitted last year from the leadership of National Gallery of Art under the leadership of Mr. Abdullahi S. Muku- Acting Director General. The NGA bought works of Art from all galleries last year, supported all participating galleries and sponsored artists to various countries for Art programs. That’s a big development. I know they will do more and better as they represent the government.

There is need to boost funding from the Government, Oil industry and private sector. This is can be done if 10% of the national budget is channeled into the National Gallery of Art to support the Art industry in Nigeria. The state Government, oil industries, telecommunication giants, Food, Beverage, drinks industry are not left out. They should not only sponsor events that are short lived but those that play roles in art history and promotion of culture.