By Japhet Alakam

Whenever there is a problem in the economy, like the recession in the country, the first casualty is always the visual art sector as people will always concentrate on things to eat. Periods like this come with their challenges as many people will be frustrated, confused and anger will fill the land and in such a situation what people need is something that will soothe their nerves.

Black Out by Diseye Tantua

As a way of responding to the ugly situation, a body of artists known as the Guild of Professional Fine Artists of Nigeria, GFA, made up of people who have been in the business and who understand how the people feel, last week brought art connoisseurs, patrons, lovers and artists to an exhibition tagged Catharsis.

The group which can be described as a middle generation of Nigerian masters, parades about 24 seasoned artists who have been in the business for years and exhibited widely.

The exhibition which opened at Lagos Culture House, TerraKulture on 3rd September and will end on the 11th featured about 40 works that vary from the socio-political to the philosophical, esoteric to the poetic, but in all, the works speak from the heart of the artists with passion.

At the opening, the ambiance that radiated through the paintings and sculptures confirmed the status of the exhibiting artists as among the leading signatures of Nigeria’s generation .

The entire exhibiting hall was filled with works that speak for themselves and the viewers had a field day going through the works. And in line with the theme of the exhibition, some of the works really aroused strong feelings about how the populace can be relieved of their anger, sufferings and emotions at least momentarily.

Some of the works include, Reflection by Abraham Uyovbisere, Evening Mood by Bimbo Adenuaga, Bad money and Black out by Diseye Tantua, Evening Blues by Duke Asidere,Focal Point by Edosa Ogiugo, Onyeoma na Makua 11 by George Edozie, Love Garden by Gerry Nnubia, Rhythm on Strings by Norbert Okpu, Dialogue, Past& Present by Tola Wewe, Expression Earths Reception by Segun Adejumo and many others.

Some of the works actually point the way forward in times like this, for example a piece by Segun Adejumo entitled Expressions that depict images of people dancing, on occasions like this people need to dance their sorrows away. Norbert Okpu’s Ryhthm on Strings and Hope also speak about relaxation with hope. Duke Asidere’s Evening Blues according to him is a sleep activator.

Rhythm on Strings by Norbert Okpu

” I did it over 8 years ago and it has worked me. A lot of people have issues with sleep, it is something I put by my bed side that sedates me to sleep, it is just a sleep activator, so I have enjoyed it for years and want others to enjoy it too,” Asidere explained.

For Gerry Nnubia’s Love Garden, which he termed Co-existence that shows different flowers under some trees, Nnubia said that flowers are symbols of love and every piece of flower radiates love and there are different colours of flowers living in harmony. The piece took a root from the North, precisely Jos where there are lots of natural flowers, but incidentally, there is crisis in the area. The work borders on unity, so he is therefore urging the people of all tribes, colours to live in harmony .

Speaking about the exhibition, Segun Adejumo, the president of the group, who described the present period as a period of questioning said that “the purpose is to bring new insights into the creative studio activities of the members of GFA, their experiments, works and how these works might affect the existential disposition of the audience, art collectors and enthusiasts.”