By Chukwuma Ajakah

As part of their commitment to enriching the conversations on art collection and creation, Professor Fabian Ajogwu, OFR SAN, and Dr. Jess Castellote had an exclusive reading of their latest collaborative work, “Creating Art: Authenticity and Ownership in the Visual Art” at an intimate gathering held recently at MILIKI, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The book represents the second instalment in their art series, following the successful “Collecting Art: A Handbook.” Skillfully moderated by Ms. Nabilah Usman, the event featured engaging discussions on art ownership, authenticity, originality, and the evolving landscape of digital art.

During the book reading, art enthusiasts, collectors, and industry professionals had the opportunity to engage with the authors through selected readings and discussions. The discourse encompassed crucial topics including artists’ rights, the originality of an artwork, questions on the complex nature of authenticity, particularly in the digital age, and the impact of artificial intelligence on art creation.

Professor Ajogwu reflected on the two-decade journey he and Dr. Castellote have shared, filled with lively debates on the meaning of art. He highlighted the book’s significance in addressing fundamental questions about artists’ rights, stating, “In ‘Creating Art,’ we were looking at the rights of the visual artist. Can we buy a piece of art and change its colours just because we prefer them? These are things we discussed as affecting the rights of visual artists.”

Dr. Castellote shared his motivations for co-authoring this work. “We wanted to address not just our disagreements about what art is, but to provide a valuable resource for both collectors and artists,” he explained. According to him, the first book aimed to help collectors refine their practices, and with this second book, “Creating Art,” the authors wanted to offer guidance to artists, particularly regarding the legal and contractual aspects of their work.

The authors also addressed emerging trends in the art world, including the unitization of art ownership, digital rights, and the role of artificial intelligence in art creation. Professor Ajogwu noted, “Art is going to go beyond what you see hanging on your wall, to digital rights, to dealing with AI, to unitizing ownership, to dispute resolution when there are art disputes of that nature.” He went further to acknowledge the essential contributions of institutions like the Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art (YSMA) at Pan Atlantic University and the Society for Art Collection (SARTCOL), which play crucial roles in preserving and promoting the rich narratives of African art. 

Sandra Obiago, renowned art curator, underscored the importance of the book for stakeholders across the art ecosystem, stating, “The issue of authenticity and ownership is something that we grapple with on a daily basis… It’s a very important book for artists and collectors because we’re dealing with authenticity all the time and ownership as we look at a work that we want to acquire.”  She emphasised the responsibility of collectors to ensure they invest in credible art, advocating for heightened awareness within the community.

Ejike Egbuagu, Founder of the 1952 Africa Art Foundation, brought forth the perspective of young artists, expressing the need for targeted discussions that would equip them with knowledge about originality and value in a competitive market. He stressed that understanding the dynamics of the art market is crucial for emerging talents within the art community.

The event attracted distinguished guests including Mr. Atedo Peterside and Mrs. Dudun Peterside, Mr. Segun Ogunsanya (Chair of NSIA), Mr. Roger Brown (CEO of Seplat Energy PLC), Professor Enase Okonedo (Vice Chancellor of Pan Atlantic University), Professor Juan Elegido (former Vice Chancellor of Pan Atlantic University), Mr Nero Asibelua, Ms Ngozi Edozien, both board members of the Society of Art Collection (SARTCOL), Mr Kailesh Patel and Mrs Anita Patel, Mrs Folashade Alli SAN, Mrs Nkemdilim Uwaje-Begho, Dr Hala Daggash and Mr Muhammad Daggash, and other distinguished figures from the art, business, and academic communities, all united by their shared interest in the arts.

The evening concluded with an exciting announcement of the forthcoming third instalment in the authors’ series, tentatively titled “Appreciating Art,” generating anticipation among attendees for the continuation of this important collaboration. This brought the book reading to a close, and guests were invited to a cocktail reception, where they had the opportunity to network and engage in further discussions.

The book “Creating Art: Authenticity and Ownership in the Visual Art” is now available on Amazon and select local bookstores, including Jazzhole, Quintessence and Ouida. It serves as an essential resource for artists, collectors, curators, and anyone interested in the complex intersections of art and the various rights of the artist, especially in contemporary times.