By Cosmas Omegoh
The three promising artists, Joel Arueya Oghenerueme, Jefferson Jonathern, and Julius Agbaje featured at a recent exhibition in Lekki, Lagos that brought together hundreds of participants to savour beautiful works art.
Themed “That Day Will Come,” its organisers, AMG Projects, said “the essence of the exhibition is to consider the impact of the current global socio-economic and political changes on humanity,” explaining that “AMG Projects operates as a platform to facilitate broader social access to art, while creating more global opportunities for emerging African artists.”
Lead exhibitor, Arueya Oghenerueme, a graduate of General Art from the Auchi Polytechnic, Edo State, in his work, used visual language to chronicle the surrealism of being physically present at the site of the Endsars protests of 2020, and the subsequent aftermath of the gas lighting that trailed the incident.
Oghenerueme’s work was based on abstract composition which he infused in his paintings to communicate the intense feelings that were common features of the protest.
Arueya in another work of art, presented highlights of the roles women play in social justice, and at the centre of culture and daily life.
Arueya, it was learnt, has two solo exhibitions to his credit, one sponsored by Guaranty Trust Bank, Nigeria, which showcases what he has been up to in recent times at the Oasis Lounge, Murtala Mohamed International Airport, Lagos. His second solo was powered by AMG Projects at an exhibition tagged MAGIC.
He said: “I try to use my abstract paintings to promote the need for peace and harmony in our society that is battered by so much injustice. But there can only be lasting peace when there is justice.
“So my works are meant to help relay subtle messages of hope and societal re-engineering curb human rights abuses thereby engendering positive changes in the society.”
It was learnt that Arueya’s consistent artistic expression had paved way for him in the art scene and beyond, having featured in a two-month art residence at ‘Kunst Ayl Art Residemz Quedliburg, Germany.
Interestingly, Otto Gallery (US) has also featured some of his works, one of which is the subject of a recent Sterling Bank Plc advert to promote culture and creativity in Nigeria.
He was one of the artists invited by the Lagos State government under ex-Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to brainstorm on ways to further beautify the state.