Talking Art Journalism at Terra Kulture

The Forum is being organized as part of activities marking the 50th birthday of Mr. Toyin Akinosho.

According to a statement signed by Deji Toye for the Friends of Toyin Akinosho, “we believe a jubilee celebration of Akinosho is a proper occasion to discuss the state of Nigerian art through two of its pillars of sustenance in the last two decades. This period has been one of transformation on a global level.”

The statement added, “as the last decade of one century and the first of another, it has witnessed transformation in the mode and manner of communication on a scale and pace not witnessed before. In Nigeria, it was also a period of flux – near death of the publishing industry and, on the sunny side, the emergence of a Nigerian unique motion picture model, which has gone ahead to influence the rest of Africa and attracted the attention of the world. Besides, the implication of political instability is that there has not been any consistent policy on culture and how it can be harvested for national development.”

According to Toye, “two key factors, which have however sustained the centrality of Art and Culture in the public space have been the growth of Art Journalism into full desks in the print media with daily runs and proliferation of advocacy efforts – from trade guilds to practitioner associations, patrons’ foundations and ordinary citizens’ initiatives.

“What have been the success and failure of Art Journalism and Advocacy in the last two decades? How can the energy generated by these be harnessed for national development in the next two?” are some of sub-themes that will be examined at the gathering.

Professor G.G. Darrah is expected to deliver the keynote to set the tone of discussion, while the panel of discussants will be drawn from the media, academia and art practice.