BY PRISCA SAM-DURU, EXHIBITION

An exhibition of paintings and drawings by two renowned artists Joe Amenechi and Albert Ohams opens at SOLITUDE hotel and suites garden, Oniru,Victoria Island, Lagos on the 16th September 2011 by 5pm.The exhibition which will feature about 50 works by both artists in different media is expected to attract art collectors ,critics, businessmen and politicians.

Both graduates of Yaba College of Technology, they have excelled in their various techniques over the years.

Albert Ohams, a cartoonist of International repute graduated in 1990 in painting and has since been combining his talent on canvas and on the pages of the newspaper.

Presently the Cartoon Editor of Sun Newspapers, Ohams displays his humour on canvas in some of his works that will be on display.

A recipient of Nigeria Media Merit Award [NMMA] Prize for the Cartoonist of the year 2000, and the Diamond Award For Media Excellence [DAME] editorial Cartoonist year 2007,Ohams had his first solo exhibition titled CULTURAL GLIMPSES in 1995 at the Nigerian embassy in Israel and thereafter had other exhibitions subsequently.

One of the works to be exhibited- Double Standard by Albert Ohams

On return to Nigeria in 1997, he had a solo exhibition THE LONG TRIP at the National Museum, Onikan. Also he was among the participating artists that exhibited in PAIR-A-PICTURE exhibition alongside British artists at the famous Guildhall gallery in London. He has taken part in several painting and cartoon exhibitions.

A recipient also of the American Press Institute visual journalism workshop [ROI], some of the titles of his work to be displayed are That July 10th Flood,99 Standing 23 Sitting, Proliferation of Beauty Contests, Double Standard among Others.

Joe Amenechi graduated in 1985 and has been known for his creations that combine painting and print. He occupies a unique place in history of contemporary Nigerian art.

Born in Lagos in 1961,his works talks about the preservation of traditional features of the lives of his ancestors which he represents with images, symbols and suggestive fetish objects.

Joe worked as an intern for a year at Ovuomaroro art gallery in 1982 under the tutelage of Nigeria’s most iconic artist Bruce Onobrakpeya, while training as a fine art student at the Yaba College of Technology, Lagos.

Over the years, Joe Amenechi honed his skills and has exhibited regularly in Nigeria and abroad.

His early exhibition was held at the Italian Cultural Institute, Lagos and the National Arts Theatre in 1988.He has also exhibited at the Royal Overseas League [ROSL] London and the Edinburgh college of Art in 1995, and the signature Art gallery in Accra, Ghana. Many of his works are held in private collections all over the world.

The exhibition is being packaged by a renowned Lawyer and Art critic Mr. Emmanuel Iwelumo of Iwel Ventures.