Lagos — Iya ni wura is a Yoruba phrase translates as the virtuous woman or the celebration of womanhood. In Africa, though the woman is not always in the forefront, she has always been looked upon as a symbol of strength and fruitfulness. No wonder, Tony Rapu, the coordinator of Freedom Foundation, a non-profit organisation, says, "the picture of the Nigerian mother is one, which evokes an image of nobility, hard work, industry and conscientiousness; principles on which a nation is built."

Next Saturday an exhibition titled Iya ni wura, will be featuring the paintings of Gbenga Orimoloye, with a few from Adekusibe Adeodunfa, which will be opened at Didi Museum, Akin Adesola Street, Victoria Island.

Through Iya ni wura, Freedom Foundation, the organisers of the exhibition, is paying tribute to the virtues of motherhood. 'Iya ni wura' was borne out of the foundation's quest for social reformation in the nation, which must begin with a moral revolution, conveyed through the diverse media available, one being the arts, revealed Titi Ogufere, a member of the exhibition planning committee. Thus the foundation chose to use the visual art as a platform for projecting hope and change.

Rapu explains that the woman is fully committed to the welfare of her family. Through her, societal problems such as destitution, crime and prostitution can be tackled at the grass roots level with the proper upbringing of children. "The future generation of a nation can be ensured through the mother. There is an old saying that the generation of a nation can be ensured through the mother. There is an old saying that 'the hands that rock the cradle rule the world".

According to Orimoloye, who lives in Europe, he is using this exhibition to portray Africa in a positive way unlike the reports heard in the Western world about Africa. Orimoloye, a 1991 Yaba College of Technology art graduate, who is featuring 40 works describes the continent of Africa. "Africa has had a long checkered history. The continent has come a very long way. She has endured adversity and many dispensations of change. In looking at Africa today and despite the constant bombardment with the usual images and tales of hopelessness, darkness and despair that is so often characteristic of issues that pertain to her generally, I 'd rather say, she is on a journey. There is far more to Africa than poverty and what have you."

The positive side of the African tale is what is to be seen in Orimoloye's works. In his works he portrays Africa as a woman which according to him represents patience, strength, dignity, perseverance. "There is life, beauty, energy, creativity, charm, potential", he also says.

He also acknowledges that there are problems in Africa. "It will be dishonest to deny that there are problems. Today the African continent in desperate need of change. We see an unprecedented increase in aids, poverty, crime and over social anomalies. . . obstructing and impairing a gifted people."

It might be puzzling for some women folks that they are usually used by artists, especially the male ones, as subject for their creativity. These range from provocative to serene issues. However in the case of Orimoloye, it is a celebration of womanhood, which is the African essence. "But she is a seasoned warrior and I see her fighting. Regrouping herself in a way that is so characteristic, making the most of whatever she has. By showing these paintings, I am seeking to present the viewer/audience with icons that are a celebration of a continent, a figurative demonstration of hope."

Orimoloye, who has won some local awards which include the 1991 Lintas Award for the best final year art student, tells that most painting on the African woman reveal more than just a work of art.

He reveals that each African woman in his paintings presents "a single instance of a preferred manifestation of Africa's diversity, energy, resilience creativity, potential and continuity. She is a metaphor. An allegory. Standing instead, for grace, dignity, poise determination and valour."

This allegory should be immediately apt in varying instances. In some, she is deliberately elongated and in most, I have used very bright colours for her costume."

Her headgear, for instance, often exaggerated and pronounced. Inspiration for this are all from motif that I find already in existence while the interpretation and representation is mine. These bright colours speak confidence. The imply beauty instead of ashes."

Orimoloye, who will also be displaying his Iya ni wura series, hopes that his paintings will motivate, inspire and challenge as Africans have great roles to play in the world stage. "This is what my paintings on the African woman stand for. Each one is lavish in the use of materials for this very thing, to highlight or underscore Africa's strength and beauty and thereby proclaim a new dispensation."

For Freedom Foundation, Rapu shows that the answer to the quest for survival as a nation must of a necessity involve a moral revolution. The nation, he tells, cannot be rebuilt unless there is a mind reformation. He also reveals that people are inseparable from their cultural heritage "and since culture is in turn expressed through art and craft, art has therefore become a veritable tool in our hands for the propagation of a message of hope and triumph in the face of apparently insurmountable odds."

It is also revealed that some of the proceeds from the exhibition will be given to the Foundation by the artists, especially from the works of Orimoloye.