Thursday, 28th March 2024
To guardian.ng
Search

For its October Rain, SNA celebrates icons of art

By Eniola Daniel
14 October 2018   |   4:11 am
The Society of Nigerian Artists (SNA) will next week, roll out the drums to celebrate two of Nigeria’s iconic artists, Prof. Yusuf Grillo and Prof. Abayomi Barber...

Bruce Onabrakpeya, Erhi Guardian Angel i, ii, iii (418 cm x 267 cm) 2018

The Society of Nigerian Artists (SNA) will next week, roll out the drums to celebrate two of Nigeria’s iconic artists, Prof. Yusuf Grillo and Prof. Abayomi Barber, at this year’s October’s Rain Exhibition holding at the Thought Pyramid, Ikoyi, Lagos.

The show will run from October 20 to October 26.

October Rain is a yearly event put together by the artists’ body to showcase members’ work and celebrate people who have contributed to the growth of art in Nigeria.

In 2016, the show celebrated the art patron and one of the country’s biggest collectors, the late Sammy Olagbaju, while in 2017; it was another patron of the art, the late Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi.

October Rain has equally served as a platform for young artists to launch their careers. Over the years, it has maintained a reputation of high level of professionalism in creativity and craftsmanship.

Speaking to The Guardian, SNA Chairman, Lagos State chapter, Idowu Sonaya, said, “this exhibition is meant to showcase the artists works, talents and to promote them. For the established artists, it is meant to further promote them. It is also meant to add to the tourism value of Lagos State.”

For art collectors that prefer to have private viewing before making a decision concerning the work they want to buy, October 19 is their date.

“The beautiful thing about this year’s show is that we are honouring two of the country’s biggest artists for their contribution to the development of art education and professional practise,” Sonaya said.

Grillo was the first and founding President of SNA in 1963, while Prof. Barber, who will be 90 years old on October 23, 2018, pioneered the establishment of a visual art training school at the University of Lagos in 1973, with Muri Adejimi as his first student. Today, the University of Lagos has a vibrant department of creative arts.

This year’s show has over 100 artists participating. They include, Kolade Oshinowo, Banjo Fasuyi, Bruce Onabrakpeya, Nike Okundaye, David Dale and Abayomi Barber on display. Also showing are, Abiodun Olaku, Bunmi Babatunde, Sam Ovraiti, Olu Ajayi, Kunle Adeyemi, Mufu Onifade, Oladapo Afolayan, Dotun Alabi, Damola Adepoju, Sonaya, Ajayi Porter, Bolaji Ogunwo, Udenta Omoligho, Stella Mofunanya, Michael Fashakin, Anthony Nwalupue, George Taylor and many others.

0 Comments