By JAPHET ALAKAM
At last, the 2011 and  4th edition of International Artexpo Lagos kicked off in a grand style last week at the Lagos culture home, National Museum, Onikan,  Lagos. The event which was officially declared open  by the Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Edem Duke, apart from the usual ministry representatives  recorded a very low attendance.

The  international art extravaganza  which has become an annual ritual that brings together gallery owners, known and emerging artists from Nigeria and outside and collectors from all walks of life was initiated in 2008 by  National Gallery of Art (NGA) Nigeria in collaboration with the Art Galleries Association of Nigeria(AGAN) as  part of efforts aimed at entrenching a lively and engaging visual art sector .

Officially billed to hold in August, the opening of  the expo in December which many thought would not hold after series of postponements due to logistic  factors from the organisers was a welcome development to numerous art lovers who has followed the happenings in the art sector with keen interest.

But the joy of the art community was punctuated with the news of the tragic death of one of the participating artist, Emmanual Inua who died on the early hours of the opening day. But despite the shock that enveloped the art community, this year’s edition would go on record as the first time  the event was declared open by the Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation.

Thoughts, Oil and Acrylic on Canvas by Nneka Odoh

Display of creative works by artists

Parading about 24 galleries from Nigeria and the neighbouring countries,  this year’s edition which opened on the 3rd and closed on  the 10th of December, 2011 as usual, showcased  the creative art works of many known and emerging artists.

Though, the pavilion is smaller compared to that of the previous editions,  the quality of works displayed once more brought out the competitive spirit that follows such exhibition as the different gallery owners tried to outwit each other by showcasing different genre of visual expressions.

But  one issue that engaged the minds of many art writers was the turn up of people at the opening ceremony and that could be likened to the level of publicity given to the  exposition.

It could be deduced by the number of people that turned up during the opening ceremony that the organisers did not create the much needed publicity for such an international artexpo, though the main motive is not the sale of the art works, but the presence of  people at the venue which expectedly, made the organisers achieve the aims and objectives of organising the artexpo.

In his opening address, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Edem Duke who was personally touched by the death of Inua recounted how he came in contact with him and said that he will be missed by all.

He stated that the  occasion is not only to celebrate, but to also expose our joint heritage of visual art to the international market. According to him, “The International Art Expo Lagos, coming at the heels of the successful organization of the 7th Abuja National Carnival, the biggest show in Africa, is a testimony of the place of art in our socio-economic life.”

He commended the president for the success recorded in the area of cultural transformation and stated

“I would like to place on record that it is the aim of this administration to transform and diversify the nation’s economy. The visual art sub-sector, a major sub-sector in the culture sector, is very strategic to the transformation agenda of Mr. President.

This Art Expo therefore is a strategic catalyst for the economic growth of our nation.” Continuing he stated that “ for me, the expo is very audible testimony that there are within the confines of our country, men and women of unbelievable creative spirit with dimensions of thought who have continued to redefine the creative industry.”  He added.

On his part, DG National Gallery of Art, Abdulahi Muku pointed out that since its inception in 2008, the programme has been organized by NGA in collaboration with the Art Galleries Association of Nigeria (AGAN) and the journey so far has been very smooth.

He stated that the  programme is designed, among others to bring private Art galleries together both within and outside the country annually and  the duo has successfully nurtured it to a level of maturity for the benefit of Nigerian visual art community.

“The essence of the International ArtExpo for Nigeria, I must say is not only to showcase the rich cultural heritage of Nigerian people, but to serve as a veritable art trading event for gallery owners, patrons, art dealers and corporate art buyers.”

He is of the view that the International Art Expo has a  tendency to boost the Nigeria n economy and   contribute to the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Ebele  Jonathan-led administration.  Finally, he said that the traditional date of hosting Art Expo in Lagos still remains the month of August every year. The December date for this edition is due to circumstances beyond our control.

Chairman of the occasion, Rasheed Gbadamosi stated that the birth of the International Artexpo Lagos has indeed been a wonderful step forward in the march toward uplifting that visual art industry in Nigeria. “At this time when President Goodluck Jonathan-led administration is talking about transformation and diversification of our economy, there couId be no better platform in achieving this than the Internationa Artexpo.

It is a veritable platform through which we can unlock the economic potential in the visual art sector. For too long, we have over depended on oil source of revenue. For too long we have neglected what we need to do.”

Gbadamosi who is not happy with the state of art in the country charged the minister to use his good office and provide a befitting National Gallery edifice where events like this could hold. On in the alternative  convert the colonial governor’s residence in Marina for such instead of wasting it.

He commended the National Gallery of Art (NGA) for sustaining the life of the International Artexpo and asked the Art Galleries Association of Nigeria (AGAN) to take advantage of the opportunities this programme provides” showcase their works, exchange ideas and get more creative and

efficient in’ their works. Thereafter, the AGAN chairman Frank Okonta who was happy that the minister was around to declare the expo open took them to the stands and the minister declared it open.