By JAPHET ALAKAM

One of the defining features of modern time exhibitions is the colours that characterize the paintings  or photographs displayed at the halls, but the recent exhibition by Joseph Ogunlowo was totally different from that. The exhibition titled Re- Awakening, a solo art exhibition which focused on traditional art is a testimony of the creative and resilient spirit of the real African man. It opened on November 23, at the National Museum, Onikan, Lagos and closed on November 29.

The works displayed were real traditional art carved in various forms that represents the true African art. The exhibition is very special in the sense that the works can be used and enjoyed by all despite religion, age or sex. With the way, Africans are patronising anything foreign, the exhibition is indeed another wake up call for Africans to go back to their root.

For the Fiditi-born traditional art carver, Joseph Ogunlowo who started as a sales boy in an art shop in Lekki, Lagos in 1995 with a dream of becoming a master carver, a dream he pursued vigorously until 2007, when his shop that served as his studio was demolished, this exhibition, which is his first solo is an indication that he has bounced back.

The exhibition which brought many art lovers, diplomats and followers of the young carver to the National Museum, was declared open by famous art promoter, Prince Yemisi Shyllon.

It featured over 80 high quality wood works made for both functional and decorative purposes at home and office. They include dining tables, storage bench, bar stand, mirror frame, side shelve, bar stood, jewelry box, wall hanging and dressing mirror. Others include trays, Opon Ayo set, animal crafts like Tortoise, Grass cutter, Girrafe and others.

Some of the works are; Wall Panel, depicting the Osogbo setting, women making clothes with customers buying from them. Village setting, depicting cocoa harvesters, women pounding yam, some grinding pepper and a man on top of a tree bringing fire woods. Others include, Animal kingdom, Celebration of Iyemoja etc.

A look at of some of the works displayed at the hall , one will notice the creative ingenuity of the young man who was not formally trained in an art school as a sculptor,  but have been able to produce unique and fantastic works that have endeared him to the high and low. The works takes one back to the good old days when our great grand fathers enjoyed the gift of nature.

Speaking about the exhibition, Joseph said that, Re -awakening is just announcing his survival and coming back after  what befell him in 2007, when his new art shop at the Lekki Art Market was pulled down by the bulldozers of Fashola. “I lost everything, it was only the grace of God that sustained me.”

Joseph also pointed out that the quality of the works differentiates it from that of roadside sellers and that is why his works are patronised by many art lovers and diplomats.

Speaking about the works, Shyllon who was impressed with his works said, “they are very unique and his symmetry in colours are nice. He has a great potentials and should be encouraged. I first know about him through the wife of the wife of then US Counsul General to Nigeria, Kathleen Stanford, he made a fantastic table for them and I have since patronised him in providing me such tables. His creativity is fantastic, he got so much talents in him and one owes him a duty to give him opportunity to prosper.”

For Rick Clark, Group Managing Director of PAI Group, one of the visitors at the exhibition “he does excellent job, the quality is superb. It is a very great work of art and the breadth of work here is charming.”