By Simeon Mpamugoh
L-R ‘Chichi Michael, Ayoola Mudashiru, Prof. Kunle Filani, Folasade Abiola and Olojo Kosoko Kolawole at the briefing.
A group exhibition that deconstructs forms associated with the admixture of Western European and African culture with the colonial artistic tendencies and elevates the contemporary recreation and reinvention of forms and philosophies of the traditional Yoruba Art is scheduled to hold from December 3-9, 2023 at Fobally Artworld Africa, 1A Amaechi Onuoha Crescent Ikate Lekki Phase 1, Lekki Lagos. It is organised by the alumni of the University of Ife now Obafemi Awolowo University, (OAU) Ile- Ife, Osun State.
The exhibition is tagged “Best of Ife @30,” with a theme “Beyond Onaism.’’ It is contextualised on what Ona is, and the exploits of artists in different parts of the world, who graduated from the 50 year old fine and applied art department of the university.
US-based art scholar, Prof. Moyo Okediji, who spoke virtually expressed excitement for being part of the exhibition. He congratulated the organisers for putting up the show, adding that it was time for the group to take control of her own art instead of waiting for the outsiders to help her find ways of promoting her own art..
“There used to be a time when only foreigners did this kind of thing and it’s really gratifying that we are calling the shots. The contribution of Ife school to creativity in Nigeria has not been fully evaluated. And from the early 90s until now, the products of Ife Art school have tremendously changed the styles of creativity in Nigeria,” he said.
Professor of Visual Arts and Aesthetics, African-American University, Port Novo, and one of the five progenitors of the concept of Onaism. Kunle Filani, recounted that the Department of Fine and Applied Arts of the university started with some students who were in the Faculty of Education.
He said that the philosophy behind the school was entrenched within its motto “For learning And Culture,” adding that it was not for fun that the alumni of the university were generally hailed as “Great Ife.”
He attributed it to essentially a thorough academic orientation that students derived when they were in the school which has placed it top because the training has to do with learning and culture expanded beyond acquisition of skills.
He noted that the emphasis on culture was because students wanted to reinvent culture without isolating themselves outside indigenous culture so that there would be continuity and change. He added that the concept and philosophy of Ona was beyond the practice of art and was properly enunciated, and quite soon after it commenced, it became a movement beyond the graduates of Ife and was accepted as part of what “we could be proud of in contemporary Nigeria art and beyond.”
He listed the likes of Victor Ekpu, Wole Lagunju and many others, who were discovered among the early starters adding that Victor Ekpu was doing Insibidi within the concept of Onaism, while Araism by Mufu Onifade was a take off from the concept, which they developed along the line, and many people followed them. “I’m glad that many Ife graduates, like Tunde Ogunlaiye, Mufu Onifade and others, took the movement as a challenge while Donatus Akatakpo and I had the first one which attracted works from artists in Diaspora,”
On the way forward the don said, “I think we should take stock of the various creative trends that graduates of the school had explored. It is important for us to note that since we are reinventing culture, we have to be familiar with the diversities of materials within Nigerian and African art.
Professor of Fine Arts, Rhodes University, South Africa, Steve Folaranm,i noted that the Best of Ife group exhibition offered an avenue for members of the alumni to speak with one voice on any issue within the country using the art.
He spoke virtually, saying that the foremost thing about the exhibition was that for many years, it did not hold because of the plethora of issues within the country. “But the mere fact that we’re coming back again shows that we have realized that we are missing in action and needed to do something about it. This calls for celebration,” he enthused.
The curator of the exhibition, Ayoola Mudashiru, revealed that Fobally Artworld Africa would be home to over 50 pieces of artworks displayed by over 35 registered participating artists of diverse styles, approach and philosophies. He pointed out that an exhibiting artist was expected to showcase one work of a larger size, adding that all the 5 decades generations of the best of Ife art school would be represented in the exhibition. “We are going to have the works of Professors Kunle Filani, Moyo Okediji and Stephen Folaranmi. Tola Wewe and others from 1972-2023 of the Ife Art school,” he said.
Founder and Creative Director Fobally Artworld Africa, Folasade Abiola, expressed joy of hosting works of the masters and new graduates of Ife Art School in her gallery. “We are super excited to host the Best of Ife @ 30. The university arts graduates are known for their great works in the art industry and they have made landmark statements all over the world.We are proud to be associated with this epochal event.”