Exhibition on Benin Royal Art holds at Lagos museum

After a successful outing in Benin between October and November 2019, a solo art exhibition on Benin royal art, tagged: Uhunmwen Vbe Ehinmwen And Master Of The Circled Cross In Benin Kingdom, by Dr. Theresa Oghogho Iyase-Odozi moves to National Museum, Lagos on November 10.

It is being organised by Green House Art Empowerment Centre, in collaboration with the National Museum, Lagos. According to a statement by the organisers, the second leg of the travelling show is focusing on Benin iconography and Edo batik and consists of five main components: Mixed-media paintings, art installations, Edo batik textiles and wax prints, an empowerment workshop and presentation of an art journal/brochure. The show ends November 17.

“A key objective of mounting the exhibition is to create awareness and publicise appropriations of the rich Benin icons found on artefacts dating as far back as the 16th Century which are now being deployed by the exhibiting artist in her endeavour to revive the waning culture of Edo Batik clothing.

“During the show, a collection of Edo batik textiles and wax prints designed and produced by the exhibiting artist, will be on display,” the organisers said.

Special guests expected at the opening ceremony include, Prof. Bruce Onobrakpeya, Chief (Mrs) Nike Monica Okundaye, Omooba Yemisi Shyllon and Atedo Peterside.

Iyase-Odozi, a princess of Benin Kingdom, said she recognises and admires the wealth of Benin culture, which was reinforced by her beloved father (Iyase N’Udo of Udo) of blessed memory.

“Thus, I developed the yearning to promote enlightenment about that culture and the history that sustains it, a quest that propelled my research into Benin art history. Since then, I have been completely absorbed in that endeavour which has been fulfilling in terms of the works I have produced and my personal experiencing over the years.

“The journey culminated in the exhibition on Benin Art and Iconography, the first leg of which was held in Benin City from October 26 to November 30, 2019. That first outing was a huge success, judging not only by the large number of prominent personalities and foremost artists who graced the opening ceremony, despite the torrential rains on that day, but also the appreciable number of visitors who showed up on subsequent days of the exhibition,” she said.

She disclosed that the Lagos leg of the show was initially scheduled for November 2020 but had to be postponed indefinitely following the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic in late 2019.

Iyase-Odozi is a professional visual artist, writer, curator, empowerment expert, community leader, philanthropist and Founder/CEO, Green House Art Empowerment Centre. She received her B.A. Degree in Creative Arts (Painting), M.A. and PhD (Visual Art Education), all from the Department of Creative Arts, University of Lagos.