By Aliu Alema

The Chairman, Society of Nigerian Artists (SNA), Edo State chapter, Mr. Fred Aghedo, recently expressed displeasure with Nigerian primary and post primary education curriculum which merged Fine and Applied Arts with Performing Arts which he said is making it difficult for pupils and students who want to choose Fine and Applied Arts as a profession to understand the subject different from Performing Arts.

He also decried the Nigerian present economic situation, which he said has impacted negatively on patronage of artworks.

Aghedo, who made the statement in Benin City, Edo State during an art exhibition with the theme, “Thought and Expression in Fine and Applied Arts” at the Thought Pyramid Art Gallery, Benin City said the exhibition  is open to artists from Edo and neighboring states.

He said: “The association started in 1961 as an association of professionals who want to express themselves through arts. Today’s event which is termed “Thought Through Fine and Applied Arts”, is bringing artists from different places, both practicing and student artists. It is quite commendable to find artists with different exhibitions here.”

On the effects of the economic crunch on artists, he said, “Artists are here to experiment and to change the tide. A lot of us are exploring how to turn waste to wealth. Whether it is domestic or environmental waste, it is an avenue for us to generate funding for ourselves and change our economic narrative. We are encouraging people to look outside the box. Arts are actually selling though the patronage is low. We are happy that people derive satisfaction when they buy Art works. There is healing in Arts, there is peace and there is entertainment in arts.

“On the economic crunch, Art is the way, because what you create with your hand can keep you for life. Our expectations are high, because the turnout is very impressive. We see young and budding artists, professionals and those from academia. The fear of artists going into extinction is apparent because the present primary and post primary school curriculum which merged Fine and Applied Arts with others is not encouraging those pupils and students who are taking Fine and Applied Arts as a profession to understand the subject at that level.” He said.

Also, Emmanuel Okungbowa, a 200 level Student of Fine and Applied Arts of Delta State University, Abraka,Delta State  said he was there for the art  exhibition, adding that his love for arts is a childhood relationship.

“My being here is to display my works. I just love arts from childhood. I already have ten paintings. I advise budding artists like myself to stick to their passion no matter what is happening.’

Miss Titilayo Salami, who came for the exhibition said she was impressed by the art works, especially one that has kola nuts. She maintained that kola nuts play a significant role in our lives as Africans.