Nigeria Content Online

‘Doctrine of
Necessity’ is the title of a new exhibition by artist Kunle Filani,
which opened at Quintessence, Ikoyi, Lagos, yesterday and will run till
November 13.

A preview of the
exhibition was held at the venue on Tuesday, October 19. The event
attracted members of the media as well as art patrons and enthusiasts
who came to view the works that would go on show, and interact with the
artist. Many held that ‘Doctrine of Necessity’ is a major
accomplishment for Filani, a dynamic and multi-faceted artist, art
educator, art critic/historian and art administrator.

Filani, who also
doubles as the provost of the Federal College of Education, Abeokuta,
was full of enthusiasm as he spoke about the exhibition, which is a
commemorative effort to celebrate his creative journey and 30 years of
professional art practice since graduating from the University of Ife
(now Obafemi Awolowo University), Ile-Ife, in June 1980.

On the term

At the event, Kunle
Filani remarks on his observation of a trend peculiar to Nigerian
elites, which is the deploying of certain English words and phrases in
a contradictory manner, sometimes without paying attention to the fact
that the words have no relationship whatsoever with the context. For
instance, he noted that the term ‘Doctrine of Necessity’ has been used
by some individuals to justify their lust and greed.

The controversy
behind the term began when the Senate of the Federal Republic of
Nigeria used it to defend the delegation of the office of the president
and its duties to the then Vice President, Goodluck Jonathan, upon the
abrupt departure of Umaru Yar’Adua from the country due to ill health.
Filani, however employs the term to suit his artistic purpose in the
new exhibition. According to him, his present position as administrator
of a federal institution of learning, combined with other
responsibilities, has made his schedule impossibly jammed, but the
doctrine of necessity has laid it on him to celebrate 30 years of his
creative accomplishments.

He also adds that
necessity has meant that he has to appropriate the ‘Doctrine of
Necessity’ by abbreviating it to DON – the name of one of his closest
friend, Don Akatakpo, also an academic, who died recently.

Art talk

Aside from
enlightening the public on the exhibition, Kunle Filani also spoke
about his favourite subject – art. The scope of his discussion covered
issues ranging from his preference for infusing the motifs and forms of
African culture with modern concepts, to his belief in career
diversity; which means one can and should be accomplished in as many
areas as one decides. On the need for Africans and especially Nigerians
to nurture and glory in their cultural identity as a way to enhance
their arts, language and culture especially in the midst of a rapidly
globalising world, Filani says, “We must tap into what is unique to us
as Nigerians , if we must have Nigerian Art”.

About the exhibition

‘Doctrine of
Necessity features up to 25 pieces. They include old art works, which
he had displayed in a previous exhibition, a retrospective held to
commemorate his fiftieth birthday. More recent works are also
showcased. Works of photography are also on display.

‘Doctrine of Necessity’ is at Quintessence, Falomo Shopping Centre, Ikoyi, Lagos until November 13.