• As contemporary artists prepare for 5th iDesign Art Fair
To appreciate Nigerian artists and art in general, Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, Lagos, will open its doors to three Nigerian artists, Dotun Popoola, Segun Philips and Akeem Adeleke.This is the first time that the brand is allowing some of the country’s talent, with impressive collection of paintings and sculptures to utilise its outlet in this form.

Famous for his bright and colourful paintings, Popoola, in recent years, is re-appearing in the Nigerian art scene with his assemblage of highly ornamental metal sculptures. He takes these objects out of their original context and painstakingly assembles them to accurately convey the true anatomy of his subjects. He refers to these works as ‘Hybrid metal sculptures’.

According to the general manager of the facility, Jonathan Patterson, Art Connect, is an exhibition of synergetic sculptures and paintings from a few of Nigeria’s most innovative and artistic talent. “When we were offered opportunity to host this exhibition, which showcases not only the works of the iconic Popoola, but also two other young and brilliant artists, Philips and Adeleke, we jumped at it and were inspired by the array of their past and current works. We strongly hope that it can help to inspire us all.”

“It is my hope that many people will visit this exhibition not only to enjoy these exceptional examples of Nigerian artistic offers but also to get a better picture of Nigeria’s shared cultural past, a past that can inspire us to work towards a shared and better future.”

Promising to keep supporting Nigeria’s craft, he said, “I’m going to continue to be doing this. I’m hoping that we’ll do it more frequently. So, the whole process for this particular event is to gauge the success and the feedback from art lovers.

Speaking on his work, Popoola who will be exhibiting three works, said, “my sculptures are one of the major avenues to protest visual waste. We know that Nigeria is considered as dumping ground of waste and I am turning these wastes to beautiful work.”

The exhibition, which started on September 21, ends September 28.Meanwhile, the 5th edition of iDesign Affordable Art Fair is set to hold from October 4 to 5, 2019 at The Whitespace in Ikoyi.

The fair will showcase Uchay Joel Chima, Olumide Onadipe and Uche Uzoka as ‘Featured Artists’, among other contemporary Nigerian artists. The event provides upcoming artists a platform to exhibit their work. It also introduces masters of the art scene to an appreciative audience by showcasing them as ‘Featured Artists’, displaying carefully selected pieces that are exclusive to iDesign Art.

The concept was created by an established interior designer, Mrs Tola Akerele. The tri-yearly event, which is open to all, brings together a mix of art enthusiasts, art collectors, a number of creatives and everyday people from a variety of age groups. All looking to appreciate and purchase artwork from a diverse range of Nigerian artistic talent. Mrs Akerele who is passionate about using art in all forms to complete interior design projects, started iDesign Art to encourage the habit of regular art collection.

“The goal is to get the average person to own at least a single piece of artwork that speaks to him or her without breaking the bank,” Akerele stated. As African art gains more recognition worldwide, an increasing amount of young artists are coming to the forefront. The Nigerian art scene continues to flourish but currently offers a limited amount of opportunities for new artists to exhibit their work. Up and coming talent on many occasions are in competition with master artists, who have 20 years or more of experience under their belts and as a result produce work that is of greater value.

Featured artists from previous editions include, Tola Wewe, Bob Nosa, Duke Asidere, Yomi Momoh and Alex Nwokolo, among others. Mrs Akerele, Art Curator Arinola Olowoporoku and the iDesign Art team work with local talents to exhibit a breathtaking collection of work from a range of different mediums. They are able to leverage on their close relationships with well known Nigerian artists and exhibit work in a more affordable price bracket, with the aim of appealing to more people.