Foundation celebrates life, works of Bentu 20 years on
30 October 2016 |
3:17 am
Professor Luca T. Bentu’s Foundation recently opened a visual art exhibition in honour of the late foundation, the first professor of visual art to come out of ABU, who passed on about 20 years ago.
Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed opening the exhibition… in Abuja<br />
Professor Luca T. Bentu’s Foundation recently opened a visual art exhibition in honour of the late foundation, the first professor of visual art to come out of ABU, who passed on about 20 years ago. The one-week exhibition was organised in collaboration with the National Gallery of Art and the Department of Visual Art, Ahmadu Bello University, (ABU), Zaria.
Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who declared the exhibition open, appreciated the contributions of Bentu to the promotion of art, and urged artists to live up to their responsibilities towards nation building.
About 50 pieces of works were on display, most of which were human figures. While some pry into the socio-political issues, others deal with mundane issues of life.
These works of art, produced by the master himself before his demise, had, according to the family, been under lock and key for maximum protection. While 14 of them were marked for sale, the rest would be taken back to the gallery established in honour of Bentu.
The opening of the exhibition attracted personalities from the northern part of the country, including the Emir of Lafia, Alhaji Mustapha Agwai 11, Alhaji Maitama Sule, Director General, National Gallery of Art, Muku Abdullahi, as well as some of Bentu’s students while he lectured in ABU.
In his address, Alhaji Sule recalled a time in the nation’s history when great writers and visual artists held sway and described them as those who knew what they were doing. He added that he may not be an artist, but he has, however, remained an art patriot, the very reason he was associated with the activities of National Art Council in its formative years.
“We organised the first NAFEST in Nigeria before the celebration of FESTAC 77”, he said. Sule expressed worries that people often mistake culture for only music and dance. According to him, culture is the totality of a people’s experience, people’s identity and their way of life. According to him, any nation that loses its culture loses its identity. He therefore urged government not to allow Nigerian culture die so as not to expose the people totally to alien cultures.
A former student of Bentu, Professor Jerry Buhari, delivered the exhibition lecture. He described his former lecturer as a teacher and administrator, who never failed to talk about social issues as they affected his society.
“He was an activist, not always in politics but some times in politics”, Buhari said.Speaking on behalf of the foundation, Christabel Narin Bentu said it was a way of keeping the memory of her father. She said the Foundation meant so much to the family, considering how much time and passion her father committed to building a legacy in the industry.
To sustain the legacy, she said an art gallery and library would be established in Bentu’s home for artists. “There would also be a studio for painting, not just for the members of his family but to the art society in general”, she said.
Bentu was famous for his quote that “art is a part and a reflection of the cultural heritage of a nation. No nation could be respected unless the people respect and appreciate their own artistic heritage.”
Related
Latest
4 mins ago
New York's highest court on Thursday overturned disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein's 2020 conviction on sex crime charges and ordered a new trial.
1 hour ago
Xavi Hernandez said Thursday he has decided to stay on as Barcelona coach for a "cocktail of reasons," including support from key figures at the club and supporters.
1 hour ago
Sweden will next year contribute a reduced battalion to NATO forces in Latvia to help support the Baltic state following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said Thursday.
1 hour ago
At least 155 people have died in Tanzania as torrential rains linked to El Nino triggered flooding and landslides, Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa said Thursday.
2 hours ago
Dana Air has announced that it is processing refunds for flights affected after it was suspended by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo directed the NCAA to suspend the airline to conduct a safety and financial audit following a runway incursion incident involving one of the…
2 hours ago
Turkey's central bank held its key interest rate steady on Thursday but warned it could hike it again as the country's soaring inflation remains a headache for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's government. The central bank's monetary policy committee decided to keep the policy rate at 50 percent. But it left the door open to raising…
2 hours ago
Renowned rapper Kanye West, who legally changed his name to 'Ye' in 2021, is reportedly planning to venture into the adult film industry. According to sources, Ye is planning to set up his own studio, marking his entry as a producer in the adult film industry. A representative for Ye has reportedly told TMZ that…
3 hours ago
The Corps Marshal, Mr Dauda Biu, has hailed road marshals nationwide for their doggedness and sacrifices in checkmating routes violations thereby reducing road traffic accidents by 42 per cent.
3 hours ago
Vietnam's top soft drinks tycoon was jailed for eight years on Thursday in a $40 million fraud case, the latest high-profile business figure snared in the country's sweeping crackdown on corruption.
4 hours ago
The Lagos State Ministry of Education is investigating the Indian Language School in Ilupeju accused of denying Nigerians admission. The move to carry out the investigation was a result of a post made by an X user @decommonroom who shared his experience with the school. “The Indian school in Ilupeju only admits Indians. You need…
×
Get the latest news delivered straight to your inbox every day of the week. Stay informed with the Guardian’s leading coverage of Nigerian and world news, business, technology and sports.
0 Comments
We will review and take appropriate action.