By  Japhet Alakam

One of the leading galleries in Lagos, Alexis gallery committed to the promotion of art and artists, after hosting series of exhibitions this year , yesterday opened an epic exhibition titled Francophonie, an exhibition of contemporary paintings and sculpture to round off its exhibition calendar for the year. The exhibition is dedicated in honour of art loving monarch, the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, who officially opened it among other art collectors/promoters on 5th of December, 2015 at Alexis gallery, Akin Olugbode Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.

A piece by Dominique Zinkpe, one of the exhibiting artist

The high profile exhibition which is going to be the largest collection of Francophone artists to exhibit in Nigeria featured the works of 11 multi-talented Francophone artists cuts across different countries that include Benin Republic, Togo, Cot’ d’ivoire and others. The exhibiting artists include, Dominique Zinkpe, Francis Nicaise Tchiakpe, Charly D’Almeida, Basile Moussougan, Yves Miduahen(Midi) and Eunock Hounkpevi all from Benin Republic. Others are Djedge Mel Meldje Samuel, from Cote D’Ivoire, Samual Tete-Katchan, Togo, Ayeva Medjeva, from Togo, Yaffa Kanfitine and Kwani Da Costa from Togo.

The artists who were meticulously selected by Patty Chidiac and the curating team because of their individual exploits in arts over the years stormed the Nigerian art space with over 55 works that speak of the resillent spirit of the artists. Most of the artists in this group are well established, with over Twenty years of practices to their credit. They have exhibited extensively in West African Countries and abroad.

During the preview of the all important exhibition, the curators, George Edozie and Patty Chiadic disclosed that “we have been working on this all important exhibition for 2 years now , so we want to use this platform to bring the Francophone and Anglophone artists together to see their works and tap from each others knowledge.”

Continuing, Edozie stated that, “for most of the artists, this is a life time opportunity they have been waiting for as it offers them the platform to showcase their works in Nigeria for the first time. Alexis which is noted for making history, is bringing different Francophone artists together to showcase their works in Nigeria and this will provide an opportunity for Nigerian artists/ art lovers to see them and their works as most of them are showing in Nigeria for the first time.”

On their part, some of the artists who were excited about the exhibition said that it was an opportunity they have been waiting for, showcasing their works in Nigeria, which is arguably the biggest art market in Africa. The chairman of the ocassion, the art loving monarch, Igwe Alfred Achebe who has an affinity with West African artists, was also excited about the honour.

As usual, the exhibition is curated by George Edozie and Patty Chidiac, while the regular sponsors, Litho-Chrome Limited; Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin ;Cobranet Internet Service Provider ;Nigeria Info;Cool FM ;Wazobia FM; Cool TV; Wazobia TV; Chocolat Royal; Arra Wines;The Avenue Suites;Art Cafe; The Homestores limited and Correct Corporate Catering Ltd are there for the success of the exhibition