Prince Chinedu Obi
19 September 2008
opinion
Visual art essentially is any art that one can see. Visual arts include creativity such as graphic design, painting, drawing, sculpture, printmaking, photography, etc.
It would be almost impossible to attempt to describe the full scope of visual arts spectrum. However, the history of visual arts is probably as old as civilization itself, starting from cave paintings, through religious depictions, portraits, landscapes, etc.
Many Nigerian visual artists, both at home and in the Diaspora, have over the years been recognized internationally with their outstanding works of art. Most notable among these creative giants are Ben Enwonwu of blessed memory, Uche Okeke, Ben Ekanem, Lucas Bentu, Joe Musa, Tonie Okpe, Mua'zu Mohammed Sani, Dalhatu Maccido, Bruce Onabrakpeya, Dele Jegede, Shina Yusuff, Yusuf Grillo, to mention but a few. These creative gurus have not only carved a niche for themselves through their paintings and sculptor but have also promoted and contributed to the nation's arts and culture as well as national development.
In virtually all Nigerian streets are galaxies of visual artists of different spectrum both schooled and unschooled. While most of the schooled artists have achieved a measurable level of greatness and fame through exposition and exhibition of their creativity both at national and international levels, many unschooled artists lack the basic knowledge and opportunity to exhibit their works and as a result have not been able to maximize their potential. Comparatively, the same situation exists in virtually all countries of Africa. Exhibition of works of art over the years has been the most proactive way to market and expose creative talents worldwide. Such exhibitions are either solo or group, providing the platform for dealers and collectors and the opportunity to sell or buy works that appeal to them. The imperatives of arts exhibition therefore, cannot be overemphasized.
It is on this note that the nation salutes the initiative of the National Gallery of Art, a parastatal of the federal ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, as Africa's front-runner in the promotion of the visual arts sub-sector for introducing the First African Regional Summit and Exhibition on Visual Arts (ARESUVA), held at the International Conference Centre Abuja from September 7-13, 2008.
ARESUVA was designed to promote the visual arts as a strategy for achieving rapid economic development in the African region as envisaged in the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD), with the theme "Promoting the Visual Arts sub-sector in Africa". The event brought together stakeholders, scholars, collectors and dealers in Africa and in the Diaspora to discuss critical issues that militate against visual arts development in Africa as well as develop a road map that will reposition the sub-sector to meaningfully contribute to Africa's development. The summit identified and harnessed effective models that can be nurtured, institutionalized and promoted among African countries as well as the private sector, as obtained in advanced countries of the world where visual art has contributed immensely to national development.
ARESUVA would in future become the pre-eminent annual cultural and creative continental event that will stimulate structured discussions and debates on the issues supporting creativity in a policy, planning and investment context. It will help African countries to better understand how to harness their creative and cultural resources around sustainable tourism in order to attract attention and get on the global radar.
ARESUVA will develop a better understanding of the roles that industries, governments, academia and community groups variously play in the nurturing and supporting the rich and diverse melting pot of culture and creativity as well as provide a solid base of feedback and foresight to equip policy makers into the future of the visual art in Africa.
It will further create networks and associations that will provide platforms for subsequent discussions and contributions to policy formulation and initiatives, in addition to creating the opportunity to coordinate developmental efforts and endeavours towards the regeneration of African economies by investing in creative industries and promoting cultural tourism.
Over the years, Africa has taken a typically tenacious and distinctive approach to the development of the arts, culture and tourism sector and gaining momentum. Cultural investments and achievements have played a key role in building the self-confidence and ambition of a region facing massive challenges in both economic and social terms. Africa can now boast of major new and emerging cultural institutions an international reputation for public art and internationally recognized artists.
With ARESUVA, the Africa is set to be a showcase to the world. Not only has a whole new generation of arts space and opportunities been created, an important change in perception has emerged. The sub-sector has become as a catalyst for change and an important partner in major economic regeneration initiatives.
By hosting ARESUVA, Nigeria armed with its vast talents, strength and courage is enshrining its lead role in African visual art sub-sector and using same for image-building and empowerment through the promotion of its arts and cultural endowments. Interestingly, over 26 renowned artists from over 16 African countries participated in the weeklong event. In the same vein, works of over 40 renowned Nigerian artists both of the "old school" and up-coming ones were exhibited side by side with their African counterparts.
The intellectual segment of the event, which brought together scholars and intellectuals, was also drafted in, to encourage the artists to compare notes. Another component of the summit is the Masters' School, which served as opportunity for young artists to interact and encouraged by the older ones. The summit explored the impact of the visual arts sub-sector in the 21st century as a driver of the market economy. ARESUVA promotes the spirit of unity, peace and togetherness as necessary ingredient for the region's social political and economic development and the sustenance of its thriving democracy.
ARESUVA will sensitize all major stakeholders in the sub-sector on the need for speedy development of the sub-sector as a major contributor to the GDP of African countries. Moreover, ARESUVA will stimulate the opening up of the African region's economy to the participation of African and foreign investors in the visual arts sub-sector.
Finally ARESUVA will complement African governments' efforts in the development of the tourism sector as a major area of income generation. The time is now for African art to favourably compete with the rest of the world.
Prince Obi is an arts and culture enthusiast
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