The serene Muri Okunola Park, Victoria Island, Lagos, hosted
the four-day ‘Easter Artfest’ organised by artist Femi Coker. The event, held
from April 2 to 5 inside the beautiful park which had never been used before
for an outdoor exhibition, featured a workshop, symposium and performances.
Eight exhibitors including Coker’s Femi Art Warehouse displayed
artworks during the programme. Artbarn, Tribes Art Africa, My Nest Shop and Angie’s
Emporium, were some of the galleries and art and craft shops that had
paintings, carvings and beads for sale at the Artfest. Woodin International
also brought lots of beautiful textiles to tempt attendees.
‘Dancers on Wheels’ and a rock group were among groups that
performed at the opening ceremony of the artfest on April 2. Though the event
was supposed to have started at 10am, the initial low turnout made the
organiser delay the commencement to 12noon.
Interesting works by artists Godwin Adesoye, Joseph Eze, Tolu
Aliki and Kayode Lawal, were among those that guests including writer Adewale
Maja-Pearce and his wife, Juliet, feasted their eyes on at the opening.
“Maybe it could have been bigger, there could have been more
but it’s nice. I like what I’m seeing”, the writer said of the Artfest.
Not for profit
One of the exhibitors and vice president, Art Galleries
Association of Nigeria (AGAN), Richmond Ogolo, disclosed that he chose to be
part of the exhibition, “not just because we are looking for material returns.
Sometimes, you want to sensitise people, create awareness, try to motivate the
younger generation that this is something they could do. And it is a strong
bastion of our culture anyway. So, it’s a holistic thing, not just about
selling and buying.”
Angela Ahanmisi, another participant, also approved of the
unique outdoor exhibition. “Usually you find out that when there is an
exhibition, it’s always in halls or galleries but when it’s public like this,
people can get a feel of what the artist is trying to project and begin to be
passionate about our artworks,” she said.
Coker gave an insight into what motivated the programme. “The
Easter Artfest idea came out of my passion and commitment to the arts. I’ve
been privileged to work with major art and culture promoters in Nigeria who are
recognised globally and who are acknowledged as major players in the art and
culture industry. I see the importance of our culture, how it relates to
people’s lives and I also discovered it’s a very valuable tool we can use to
enhance sustainable development. Apart from the fact that it can create
employment and generate income, it can also add value to our lives. So, the
idea came because I really love and value African culture. Not only the
textile, language and music but also the festivals.”
Ideal venue
He disclosed that he decided on the venue, “not only to break
some conventions, but also [to] see how we can take exhibitions outdoors. How
we can stimulate people’s interest by having a kind of exhibition where people
will come, enjoy the serenity of the environment and at the same time
appreciate art. This particular place is inviting, serene and we feel that when
people come to enjoy art, they can take a walk around and sit in the park. This
is the most beautiful park in the whole of Lagos at the moment. The next one
close to this is still under construction at Oshodi. I knew when this place was
being built and I visualised that this would be an ideal environment to have an
outdoor exhibition where people can enjoy the beauty of the works and also buy
art.”
Another edition of the ‘Artfest’ will hold in December because Coker wants
“people to look forward to an outdoor art exhibition whenever there is a
holiday.”
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