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The two days of the
Convention on Art and Development (CONADEV) held on September 20 and 21
in Lagos, witnessed a total of 32 papers being presented on the general
theme, ‘Engaging Art as a Tool for Sustainable Development’.
Participants like Tony Okpe, an art professor at Ahmadu Bello
University (ABU) and consultant of the National Gallery of Art (NGA)
gave a well rounded talk on the relationship between art installations
and performance art. Peace Afuwai, a masters’ degree student at ABU,
talked about how artists could protect their works from unauthorised
reproduction.

Speakers who came
from as far flung as Maiduguri, to higher institutions of learning in
Benin, Port Harcourt, Cross River, Yaba College of Technology and the
Federal College of Education (Technical), both in Lagos, made
presentations on topics that covered art history.

Some of the topics
include: issues on development; art criticism; roles of art in social
integration and empowerment of Nigerian youths; sustenance and the
survival of Nigerian artists; art design and technology in development;
art in advertising; 3D animation. Others included: learning from the
techniques used by masters like Bruce Onobrakpeya; art in fashion; and
culture and tourism. All the presentations are scheduled to be put
together in a journal.

Though there was a
programme for the sessions for each day, protocol had to be thrown out
of the window as some presenters where not available or not ready. So,
the organisers worked with those who were present and ready. The
presenters’ works then went under the microscope, with each makeshift
session having a chairman who was assisted by rapporteurs. The event
also had Farafina and AB Art World sell books and other art materials
from stands outside the venue.

Communiqué

On the second day
after all the presentations were taken, a communiqué which summarised
the conclusions drawn by the conference was read out by Tony Okonofua.

“After 50 years of
professional art and design practice in relation to sustainable
development, art is yet to be integrated into governance and society,”
he noted.

From this
observation, the following conclusions were reached. Firstly,
government and NGO’s should encourage research through the appropriate
bodies in art design and cultural development.

Secondly, that the
government should publicise research findings and encourage their
utilisation; thirdly, that the government should implement an art
endowment fund.

Exhibition

The CONADEV
exhibition opened on September 20 (after a modestly attended preview
event on the previous day) and the participants where wowed by a
cultural group before feasting on the display of about 40 works in the
Harmattan Gallery.

“The conference
organisers have done quite a great job, but at times you can discover
that the unexpected can be there. So, for the plans, the logistics and
organisation have improved. There were a few hitches, but I think it
was a smart move by the organisers in remedying the situation,”
observed art historian and philosopher, Frank Ugiomoh, who gave the
lead presentation.

Some observations

Ugiomoh said that artists should embrace more reading, as he was not impressed with some of the presentations made.

“I believe we have
a need to start a workshop for artists to learn critical writing as it
affects the presentation of art,” Mr. Ugiomoh said.

He argued that if
one creates a work and cannot present, it won’t make any sense. Kehinde
Adepegba, artist and art historian who also presented a paper on art
criticism, expressed his enthusiasm at how the convention had allowed
the exchange of ideas.

“The convention is
a place for idea exchange and a platform for moving Nigeria forward. If
the government can look into the eventual communiqué it will really
help,” he said.

Samuel Chukwuka, a
student of art history from the University of Port Harcourt, said he
enjoyed everything the conference had to offer but felt the organisers
should be more stringent in selecting papers to be presented. In
summing up he said, “I have something to take back with me and show
others what I have learnt here.”

Ahmed Tijani Mohammed, an artist and fashion designer based in Ghana, also shared his thoughts about the convention.

“I was inspired by
the way the senior artists are involved in everything that has happened
here today. I am also inspired by how the older artists motivate the
younger ones. I am taking back a lot of things. If I were to pack it as
luggage, I would need extra luggage.

“One thing I learnt
is copyright and how to protect my works,” he said. He also hoped that
future CONADEV exhibitions will feature new media arts like
installations. “I see a bright future, the next convention will be far
better than this one,” he concluded.

Peace Afuwai, who
came from Zaria and presented a paper, said she had learnt that a lot
of people did not still see the necessity to patent their works. She
felt that people did not recognise people that teach art, but believed
that the convention would help change that. She expressed the hope that
organisers would also hold an Annual General Meeting after the
convention to solidify CONADEV’s resolutions.

In closing, the Local Organising Committee chair, Oliver Enwonwu,
brought the first international convention to a close by saying, “It
has been two very intense days of intellectual stimulation, debate and
presentations. It is a successful convention and a sign that the SNA is
moving forward. It is a confirmation that the visual arts in this
country are moving on to greater heights.”