Africa’s art showcase to check imported luxury goods

IN order to checkmate the tendency of Nigerians, who crave after imported goods, including art works and interior designs, and entrench a culture of patronising indigenous products, Luxury Villas Group, a premium real estate service and brokerage company, is set to hold the biggest luxury event of the year. It aims to showcase distinctive arts, interior design, as well as property acquisition opportunities and partnerships.

The event tagged, FREIA 2017, billed to be a fusion of real estate, interior design and art, will host key players and stakeholders in these industries to discuss issues relating to their unique relationship and explore opportunities for growth. It is scheduled for December 8, 2017 at the Grand Ballroom of Civic Centre, Lagos.

While briefing journalists recently, Founder and Director of African Artists’ Foundation (AAF), Azu Nwagbogu, said they want to change the culture whereby Nigerians constantly look outside the country for luxury products. He said the country has some of the best designers, who make functional products locally with the best quality. He, however, warned that though there is nothing wrong with importation per se, there is need for Nigerians to innovate and look inward more.

According to Nwagbogu, “It should be embarrassing for anyone to walk into a hotel and see art imported, or see print from Mona Lisa, Van Gogh, and others. It is almost like we are denying our own culture, which is not inferior to others. So, we want to change the culture of what people assume to be luxury and we are going to start looking inward before we look outward.”

He also explained that the event would showcase art to Nigerians in a world-class environment, noting that Luxury Villas Group is using the opportunity to provide a more democratic space to feed the interest of those who truly appreciate contemporary art. While noting that there is dearth of spaces to showcase art in Lagos, Nigeria and Africa in general, Nwogbogu said the event would witness the best designs and artists on the continent. He also promised that FREIA would provide opportunities for young graduates and artists to showcase their work.