Bruce Onobrkapeya would be conferred with Society of Nigeria’s (SNA) highest award, Lord of the Arts at its 2023 Conference on Art and Development (CONADEV), tagged: “Refocusing the Art, Through Theory and Practice Towards Nation Building.”
The event, which holds from tomorrow at Exhibition Pavilion, opposite Radio House, Garki, Abuja, includes annual general meeting of the national and state chapter executives; conference/paper presentations/plenary session and art exhibition and awards night on November 9.
SNA President, Muhammad Sulaiman, said the theme of the conference underscores the need for a paradigm shift in the theory and practice of visual arts in Nigeria to key-in to national development.
On the awardees, he said: “They are worthy Nigerians who have contributed meaningfully to the growth and development of visual arts in Nigeria.”
Some of the notable personalities slated for the awards are Ireti Kingibe, Akachi Adimora Ezeigbo (Distinguished Patron-ship award); Nyaudo Ndaeyo, John Asein, Abiodun Oluwole Olutayo, Oji Onoko (honorary fellowship award); Abba Tijani, Sunday Enessi Ododo, Simon Ikpakronyi (Distinguished Service Award); Ocheche Agbo, Sunkanthy Egharevba, Tijani Iyabo Khadijah (Fellowship award), among others.
According to Akeni Prosper, SNA’s secretary general, the society was founded in 1963, by some notable Nigerian modern artists, including Aina Onabolu, Ben Enwonwu, Uche Okeke, Bruce Onobrakpeya, and others.
“It is the umbrella body for all Nigerian professional visual artists, art groups, and associations in Nigeria. It remains the statutory art body that has strategically promoted professionalism positioning Nigerian visual arts and artists for local and international recognition, encouraging the development through dedicated practice and scholarly engagements.”
He said SNA’s endorsement of an artist “qualifies him or her for artistic professionalism at some public level, and outright recognition and promotion in the academia.
“SNA engenders the highest standards of scholarship, creativity, criticism and teaching in the visual arts in Nigeria to encourage intellectual advancement and the development of skills that enrich visual arts professionals and their contribution to national development,” he said.