9 January 2009
Luanda — The increasing interest in the works of the Angolan plastic arts by individual and collective people topped this art field in 2008.
In this race of the fine arts one sees the frenzied desire of the people to revisit their origins, after many years of war in the country.
Thus, in the various exhibitions of plastic arts held in Luanda, in halls such as the National Union of Plastic Artists (UNAP), the International Exhibition Hall and the Celamar gallery, was noticeable the concern and admiration of people to know things about the works on show, the message behind and the reservations for purchase, not only on the day of inauguration, but also in subsequent days.
The Angolan plastic artists, due to the big pressure of the market, mainly the demands from institutions such as African Investment Bank (BAI), Banco Espirito Santo, Sonangol and other public and private firms, felt compelled to roll up their sleeves and work harder.
Whether exhibiting their works or not, artists such as Don Sebas Cassule, Sá Mateus, Hildebrando de Melo, Tomas Ana "Etona", including a group of new generation artists of the Youth Brigade of Plastic Arts could sell their works on their terms.
In the process of trading the art works, an issue which raises a lot of debate is the price, as it is usually done randomly due to the lack of unity among the members of the Association of Angolan Plastic Artists (UNAP), an institution that should, among other things, assess the quality of the works produced and find the most suitable value for them.
The artistic product is something that really touches, positively or negatively, the social dynamics of a country, then, according to Tomás Ana "Eton", it requires a special treatment to effectively serve the current development of Angola.
Thus, UNAP's reorganisation, as a partner of the state, should be an imperative in order to fully accomplish its mission of promoting and supervising the artistic dynamics.
While it is expected that the plastic artists get themselves organised, the society moves on step by step, so that besides the Ensart prize dedicated to painting and sculpture since the 1990s, the Espirito Santo (BESA) bank created a photography prize.
These are projects that painters, sculptors, potters, weavers and other creators need for the integrated growth of Angolan nation.
The incentive is not everything, it is also important to highlight the construction in Kilamba Kiaxi District, in Luanda, of the new premises of the Arts High Schools, which includes the plastic arts, in a huge effort of the State for a country full of artists who really know their role in society.
To create is not for anyone, and it is expected that this year UNAP will be united and influent in the market and artistic movement in the whole country, so that people interested in art increase even more and have more money to buy the works of art.
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