By Prisca Sam-Duru

ISSUES of sexuality especially as regards the girl child and her empowerment, will take the centre stage as Victor Mba,one of Nigeria’s most talented artists opens his first solo exhibition at Didi Museum, Lagos tagged In The Beginning. Mba who is having his first solo after turning to art 6 years ago, after a stint in the banking sector, has taken up the huge task of interrogating the pros and cons and the brouhaha relating to sexuality of not just Nigerians or Africans but that of the entire globe.

• Mba presents one of his works to his promoter

Mba, a graduate of Political Science from the University of Ilorin, flaunts a specialty in relief painting which involves 2,  3 dimensional sculptural pieces, using unconventional materials. Themed “In The Beginning” with the subject matter of sexuality, the exhibition which comes up on the 13th through 19th February 2016 at Didi Museum, Akin Adesola, Victoria Island, Lagos, will display a body of works numbering 30 which the creatively endowed artist assembled from September 2014 till date.

Speaking ahead of the exhibition, Mba, an all round artist who prefers to call himself a story teller said, “Every piece of my work tells a story. I have long had a burning desire to express my thoughts on the issues of sexuality.”

“I discovered myself as an artist in 1988. I discovered I could draw, paint and sculpt but becoming an artist was not something I gave a big thought to so, I did it as a hobby. In 2010 I was overwhelmed by the passion for art and I took a bold step of resigning from the bank to art and since then, I’ve focused on relief paintings and sculpting.  I’ve taken part in group exhibitions basically under Society of Nigeria Artists.”, He explained.

“This is time to show Victor to the world.” Victor’s friend and sponsor, Architect Obehi Iyamabo began saying. “His ideas are always very stimulating, his angles very intellectual and unique and I believe it is time to share Victor with the world. There are so many things going on in his mind and the world has to meet him. I just decided I should assist to put Victor on the world stage.” Iyamabo said.

Working inthe bank

On how he became interested in the artist’s works, Iyamabo who is the managing Partner of Amarch Consultants, narrated that he met Victor while he was working in the bank.  “He was my account officer and when he left the bank, he called to tell me that he had left to pursue his passion-art. From the first glance at his works, I was intrigued because of how he composed his works, the media he employs and the unconventional style. I have collected a lot of his works over the years.

We stimulate each other through arguments and as an Architect, I’m naturally a lover of art. I am a sentimental art collector, that’s why I’m fulfilled promoting Victor’s art.”