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The Ajiboyes on a tale of father and sons

By Florence Utor
23 April 2017   |   3:42 am
According to Segun, “As a matter of fact, as an artist, you have a rare gift from God. It is said that God molded clay and breathed into it and it became life and that is exactly what an artist does.

Adam, Eve and the Devil Terracota, by Kunle

Cartoonist and painter, Josy Ajiboye, was a guest artist at his sons’ exhibition currently showing at Terra Kulture Victoria Island, Lagos. It ends tomorrow. Like their father, Segun and Rotimi Ajiboye are exhibiting excellent pieces that offer the public opportunity to see the family’s unique art skills, from cartoons, drawings, paintings, batik and ceramics.

The theme of the exhibition, A Tale of Father and Sons, aptly expresses the diversity of the exhibits, which contain some moments in Nigerian history. The two Ajiboye sons are stepping out for the first time and the message simply is that art is life, something to be proud of and an asset that can be handed over to the next generation.

According to Segun, “As a matter of fact, as an artist, you have a rare gift from God. It is said that God molded clay and breathed into it and it became life and that is exactly what an artist does. God is inviting you to share in his creation. In our family, we are proud to be artists.”

Seguin’s pottery reflects human attributes, imperfections and beauties, strengths and vulnerabilities. It captures the transient and transitory nature of human existence and pleasure.

According Rotimi, “Anyone coming here will have a clear message of what each of these pieces is trying to pass across. We took our time to exhibit our works because we knew that if we eventually came out we won’t want to feed the public with rubbish.”

On their father’s influenced in their art, Rotimi said, “When you wake up in a place where you breathe, sleep, and cough arts, one day you are just tempted to try your hands on it, but that is not enough. If you look at these works, you will know they are borne from talented artists, not only out of training.

“Our daddy told us if we had to be artists, then we had to be good, or not bother doing it.” While expressing his joy, Ajiboye senior said, “Today’s exhibition is about my children. I am only a guest artist with a few of my works on exhibition, and I am very happy like any other parent to see their children doing well while still alive and strong.”

Ajiboye, whose four children are all artists, said his two girls would exhibit their works sometime before the year runs out.

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