Closures and Enclosures exhibition opens on the 13th of November, 2009

PUBLIC DISPLAY - Jelili Atiku

Who is Jelili Atiku?
I am a Nigerian sculptor and performance artist. The intriguing part of myself ? (laughs). Well, if I must mention it, it is my face. It distinguishes me from the crowd.

For how long have you been creating art?
It is difficult to provide answer(s) to this question. Let me begin by saying that professionally I began creating art in 1997 when I concluded my undergraduate academic studies. However, I will say categorically that my creating art works in this life time began when I was a kid.

What inspires you? Are you an activist?
Humanity inspires me to create those art works that will advance its growth. I really don’t like to give myself name, but I know few journalists have described me as activist. I will let my works to describe my person in this respect.

Tell us about your work, which materials do you prefer?
My concern as an artist is to raise the sensitivity of humankind about those issues that threaten their collective existence. Therefore, my art collaborates with me in absolving me of the aforementioned responsibility. I prefer to work with any material that can help me advocate for an egalitarian society – where human values and rights are respected and upheld.

Where and how do you create?
I work in the night when everywhere is quiet and calm. I work anywhere in my house, especially in the sitting room, bedroom and backyard – anywhere that is convenient.

Something people don’t know about you.
I am a very spiritual person.

Are you a full time studio artist?
Yes I am.

What are you working on?
I am working on the ‘In The Red’ - A performance Project.

What do you wish for the Nigerian visual scene?
Greatness- that is what I wish for the Nigerian art world. But I must warn here that greatness in art comes when you remain committed to the art practices of your time; and not stuck to the practices of the distance past. The latter would only make an artist a liar or a decorator.

Opening soon

My Copper Bracelet!

Copper Bracelet is a bangle worn around the wrist for the relief of pains caused by ailments such as arthritis. The healing process involved works by the copper being absorbed into the skin to ease the aches at the joints.

Artists have traditionally served as town criers who highlight societal pains and struggles by making work that initiates the necessary dialogue and action capable of solving these problems. Metaphorically therefore, artists are society’s copper bracelet. Whether it be through film, music, literature or visual art, the historical ability of the artist to occupy such a crucial position in society is unquestionable.

When times are rough and resources are inadequate, women have typically been the resourceful ones to whip out a meal out of nothing, make clothes for the kids out of bits and pieces of some of their own clothes and even single handedly raise the children when the father figure vanishes as has been known to happen. The mother figure is the rallying point and source of consolation in the family when difficult times bite deep. Consequently, women are their family’s copper bracelet.

My Copper Bracelet! as an exhibition concept is designed to demonstrate this unique feature of not just artists but female artists in particular in the face of a global economic recession that has seen more people lose their jobs and a growing number of families facing an uncertain future. Pulling together their artistic talents and female resourcefulness, the chosen female artists in this exhibition will demonstrate innovation through their works and explore various paths to entrepreneurship as well.

The exhibition therefore highlights the resourceful nature of women as a crucial factor in the remaking of today’s world. Entrepreneurship and innovative thinking emerge as the central themes in the show as is aptly embodied in the themes and works to be exhibited, works largely made out of improvisation with varied materials.

PUBLIC DISPLAY - Uche Edochie

Who is Uche Edochie and what part of your body intrigues you?
I am a visual artist, writer, entrepreneur, husband and father of three. If there is any part of my body that I find intriguing, predictably, it has to be my Penis of course. But don’t take my word for it. It may actually be my imagination but penis popped into my mind first so there you go.

For how long have you been creating art?
For as long as I can remember. So I’ll probably go with as early as five years old.

What inspires you?

You know, I can’t really be specific about this because inspiration comes from everywhere although people who get asked this question generally tend to narrow it down by saying they are inspired by nature or religion or politics or whatever. In my case, I am inspired by everything and nothing in particular. I am inspired by life. But if you are wondering what drives me to create, it has to be the desire for a better world and by extension; a better life and I partly feel responsible for the kind of world I want to live in, hence my thematic slant.

Tell us about your work and the materials you prefer.

Let me begin with materials. I work with a variety of materials but as one who’s body of work is dominated by painting, I have a fondness for acrylic paint and canvas in particular. Why painting and why acrylic and canvas you may ask, in an age where there is a growing trend towards new media? There is no single reason for this but I have been able to identify a few. First, I love the language of colour and I have painted with a brush ever since I was five. For me, my experience with paints and brushes all these years can be likened to learning and speaking English language all these years as well. After thirty something years of speaking English and a bit of my own native language of Ibo, I have never really felt an enduring desire to switch to French, Spanish or any other language. So in the same way, the language of painting with a brush and water based colours comes instinctively. It works for me and I enjoy it. Like I said, I do try relatively different media every now and then but only when it comes naturally. I don’t do trend for the sake of trend. I have tried it and ran out of steam because it didn’t come naturally. So I let my ideas flow uninterrupted without the pressure to conform. Perhaps that’s what they mean when they say a person is old school, so maybe I am really just a dinosaur which is okay. Secondly, I am not that patient when I create probably because I process ideas pretty quickly without having to sleep on it or drag it out unnecessarily. So when I have an idea, I pretty much run with it and the acrylic medium is perfect for me cause it dries very fast too. Thirdly, acrylic and canvas are known quantities. I know their life span and response to varying weather conditions, which is comforting. I hate to invest so much into a new medium, sell it for a handsome price only to realise a few years later that the art is deteriorating. It is not fair, not to me or the buyer. Acrylic and Canvas are durable mediums and they get the job done most of the time so I go with them. And finally, I majored in painting in art school and thoroughly loved it. Old habits die hard. These are just a few major reasons why I work with my materials of choice.

And as for my work, I will keep it simple. My images are typically recognisable with a lot of strong colours, strong energy and a controlled sombre mood. I could be silly when I am doing other things but I get really serious when I make art and it shows. And talking about style of work, I wouldn’t bother trying to label my work as neo realist or Uli movement or whatever. I find labels deficient in this day and age for the kind of work I do.

Where and how do you create?

It comes in two ways. Sometimes I have an idea and quickly try to capture it and then worry about understanding what the hell I just created later on. This particular process is quite rare. Most times though, I like to be specific because I am big on message. So I typically identify my theme, flesh it out and then create a series of work that say something along those specific lines. That way I can communicate without running the risk of rambling.

Something people don’t know about you. I have no idea what that could be… Maybe I have super powers but I have not yet confirmed this so we have to wait and see…coming to think of it, I once made a sick person better many years ago. Seriously…

Are you a full time studio artist? I used to be but got tired of it after a while. Having to make art for a living is very draining and just wears you out after a while because you have to work round the clock to keep the money flowing and that practise is a bit anti creativity. Nowadays, I have my art, writing, sex products business, an architectural firm and family to keep me occupied. I can always jump on one when I get bored or blank but I no longer have to paint everyday if I don’t feel the natural urge to.

What are you working on at the moment?

It’s too early to speak about that because it ruins the elements of surprise and anticipation that should go with every show. But it is exciting.

What do you wish for the Nigerian Art Scene?

Probably the same things I wish for the country itself. I wish for dynamism, truth, better focus, greater involvement in our arts by our Nigerian people, a bigger economy, greater infrastructural and mental development, greater access to the wider world, a stronger commitment by all stake holders in the art industry and of course, greater support, promotion and patronage of the arts.

Which animal do you see yourself as?

The closest would be the eagle….but not quite cause I don’t eat raw meat.

What is your favourite past time?

It varies but it has to be whatever brings me the most joy and the least pressure at any point in time. Now that is a broad range of things so feel free to project on it …and while doing so, kick in political blogging, watching football, art making, partying, travelling and sex high up my list.

Which Nigerian artist/artiste would you like to collaborate with?

At the moment no one comes to mind because my choice of artist would have to be informed by the particular concept I have in mind at the time.

New exhibition by GEORGES ADEAGBO at the MAK Vienna

from e-flux

The Colonization and the History of the Colonized


Georges Adéagbo, born 1942 in Cotonou, Benin, counts among the most important artists of West Africa. In 1999, he took part in the 48th Venice Biennale where he received the "Premio della giuria", and in 2002, he was a participant of the documenta 11 (under the curatorship of Okwui Enwezor). In 2008, he was the first contemporary artist ever to make an intervention on the premises of the Museo di Palazzo Vecchio in Florence.From April 1, 2009, the MAK presents "archival" installations of the artist best known for his assemblages, in which he brings together different information carriers such as books, handwritten notes, photos, textiles, cult objects etc. arranging them into new narrative spaces. If Adéagbo incorporates sculptures in his work, which, from a European perspective, are labeled as "tribal art" or "primitivism", the issue in fact is the re-conquering and repossession of previously "colonized" objects. His elaborate art-making process reaches out across boundaries between epochs, continents, cultures, and genres, starting out from the art of Africa and Oceania; the subjects that he addresses include religions, war, socialism, slavery, art, and history, as well as the stories of—mostly male—historical personalities.For the MAK Gallery, Adéagbo is planning to cover the floor and walls with an "assemblage-like" installation, visualizing the history of colonization and the colonized in an arrangement of materials in rare density. Moreover, he will reach out beyond his own exhibition by intervening directly in sections of the MAK permanent exhibition which he will examine for colonial implications. In the room of the museum's Permanent Collection Baroque Rococo Classicism (with an artistic intervention by Donald Judd), for example, he will respond to a mid-18th century cabinet, a present made by the town of Eger to Emperor Karl VI. As a piece of so-called state furniture, it represents symbolically a claim to hegemony over all continents, the meaning of which Adéagbo examines, questions, and transforms in various different ways.Adéagbo is well aware of the purposive character of the objects, but achieves the necessary artistic transformation precisely by placing them in new contexts, or unfolding new contexts, courageously altering history by re-telling it in a different way. His working method is based on combining objects made for him in Benin and others which he finds at or around the exhibition site and incorporates in his work; the pieces thus created always define a concrete frame of reference.Georges Adéagbo was born as the oldest of eleven children in Cotonou, the largest city of Benin in West Africa. Against the wishes of his family, he went to study law in Abidjan, Côte D'Ivoire, and in Rouen, France. After the death of his father, his family urged him to return to Benin in 1971 where he lived in impoverished conditions. From this time until 1993, he created a large number of assemblages in his house, which happened to come to the attention of a French curator. Many important exhibitions followed.

Forthcoming Auction of Modern and Contemporary Nigerian Art

Arthouse Contemporary Limited has announced the date for its next Auction. The Cocktail Preview will be on The 3rd of April, 2009 at The Civic Centre, Ozumba mbadiwe Road, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The Auction will start at 6pm on The 6th of April, 2009.

e-news@arthouse-ng.com

Our latest project?!

hello everyone,
you must have thought this blog does not exist again. I was shocked to note that the last update was in 2007! What? So we just did not have anything to say? Actually there have been a lot happening with us, exhibitions, travels, writings and most especially, we had another baby! that's right. Our baby boy, Kanye Edochie, was born on the 16th of May, 2008 and he is most adorable.
Anyways, here we are. I am proud to announce to you all our new project, PUBLIC DISPLAY!

The birth of PUBLIC DISPLAY

PUBLIC DISPLAY is a new online gallery offering contemporary Nigerian art, dedicated to showcasing & promoting Nigerian artists with distinctive work and process-based creations.

Watch out! Every month in PUBLIC DISPLAY, Nkechi Nwosu-Igbo will chat with a different artist and share their upcoming projects, new works and thoughts on general issues.

For the month of March 2009, we will start from our own studio, featuring the art of Uche Edochie. Some of the artists that will be featured are Jelili Olorunfunmi Atiku, Lucy Azubuike, Nkechi Nwosu-Igbo, Mary Kasim, Joseph Eze and many more.

Intimate spaces

Intimate Spaces, a joint painting exhibition by U C H E E D O C H I E and R O M I S I C H E I at The Meditterrean recreational Centre, Plot 1141 Kwame Nkrumah Crescent, Asokoro, Abuja.
Runs from 7th-9th of June, 2007

Chinua Achebe lands International Booker Award

Chinua Achebe lands
International Booker Award
Nigeria 's Chinua Achebe, hailed as the father of modern African writing, was awarded the £60,000 Man Booker International Prize yesterday. His award capped a triumphant month for Nigerian authors as Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie last week landed the Orange Prize, one of the literary world's top awards for women writers. The International Man Booker award is granted every two years to a living author for their achievements in fiction. Elaine Showalter, who headed the judging panel, said the winner had "inaugurated the modern African novel." Achebe beat writers including Ian McEwan and Salman Rushdie to the honour. The honour awarded every two years, will be presented to Achebe at a ceremony in Oxford on 28 June.

Achebe was called "the father of modern African literature" by writer Nadine Gordimer, one of the judges, who added that he is "integral to world literature". Another judge, academic Elaine Showalter, said Achebe had "inaugurated the modern African novel". Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, who recently won the Orange Prize for Fiction, said of Achebe: "He is a remarkable man. The writer and the man. He's what I think writers should be." Others who have been nominated for the prize, which recognises a living writer for their body of work, included Doris Lessing, Philip Roth, Peter Carey and Margaret Atwood. The recipient of the first honour - awarded in 2005 - was Albanian writer Ismail Kadare.

Achebe, who is now 76, is best known for his 1958 debut novel "Things Fall Apart" which has sold 10 million copies worldwide and "Anthills of the Savannah" that was published 30 years later. A diplomat in the short-lived Biafran government in the late 1960s his work is centred mainly on African politics and on how Africans are depicted in the West. Paralysed from the waist down in a 1990 car accident, he has lectured at universities around the world and is currently a professor at Bard College in Annandale, New York State. "What African literature set about to do was to broaden the conception of literature in the world - to include Africa, which wasn't there," Achebe said. "In the stories we tell, it is intended to help us solve the problem of this failure that has overtaken the early sense of joy and happiness when Africans became independent, received their self-determination."

Chinua Achebe is nominated for Man Booker International prize

Man Booker International award's organisers announced on Thursday that Chinua Achebe is among 15 final authors chosen for the 2007 Man Booker International Prize worth 60,000-pound . This award is given every two years to only living writers of Fiction. The first prize was awarded to Ismail Kadare in 2005.
Some other 2007 nominees are Salman Rushdie, Margaret Atwood, John Banville, Peter Carey, Don DeLillo, Carlos Fuentes, Doris Lessing, Ian McEwan, Harry Mulisch, Alice Munro, Michael Ondaatje, Amos Oz, Philip Roth and Michel Tournier.

gearing up for new notes

The new notes kinda look fake to me but I love holding them. I love receiving lots of them!

Lagos is for all

I should be recording Lagos (photographing and journalising) because it is fast changing under our noses. anyway it is elections time so posters have taken over every available space. I now use a very interesting new route for school run so getting exciting pictures of my lagos will not be a problem.

Nkechi

A.A.R.C.

A.A.R.C. African Art Resource Centre just held its 2nd Nigerian Art Stakeholders Conference
Themes:
*Recipes for a successful exhibition
* The Life and times of FELA: an introduction to the 2007 EXPERIENCE NIGERIA Art Competition

Guest Speakers
SAM OVRAITI+ BISI SILVA+ JAHMAN ANIKULAPO+ UCHE EDOCHIE

mama put

I am pleased to inform you that our film "Mama Put" produced by DVWORX Studios has been selected for screenning at 14th New York African Film Festival opening in New York next week. We are quite delighted that with this selection, there would be officially on the programme screening of 2 Nigerian films - "Mama Put" and "Narrow Path" by my brother Tunde Kelani who incidentally was the Director of Photography on Mama Put.


Femi Odugbemi
Producer