‘War, ruthless enemy of nation’

Emmanuel Eni, popularly known as Blackman in European Kitchen, has called on the government to see war as ruthless enemy of the state.

The Nigerian-German artist made the statement amid report of widespread racism against Africans leaving Ukraine among who are Nigerian students.

Known for his groundbreaking styles, themes and forms, Eni’s ‘Contemporary Barock Art’, which is the crystallisation of all aspects of art, stands him out as an artist ahead of his generation.

Eni, who spoke with The Guardian, admitted that conflicts have tendencies to destroy civilisation. However, with wisdom, war can be stopped.

The touching issue, which many of the victims continue to recall as traumatising, is enough to explain the urgent need for solidarity and “a binding consciousness,” as he puts it.

According to him, to avoid a world dominated by segregation, “every nation must be united in same spirit of loving and caring for one another.”

The poet-artist also advised the African Union and African governments to regularly reach out to the world through “No To Racism and Discrimination” campaigns to create a bond and reinforce the protective mantle for Africans, as well as for other developing countries.

While denouncing the war between Russia and Ukraine, which has led to humanitarian crises and the rise of a new exodus of refugees, the artist, who believes African civilisation is at par with world civilisations, called on African governments to take advantage of opportunity provided by the Russian/Ukrainian war to make more money.

Also famous for his philosophical works, he is regarded as ‘iconoclast of uncommon proportions” by critiques.

The artist, whose 2019 show in Bavaria, Germany, interrogated ‘Wealth’ is hopeful of a world where peace is reigns because, “war is a ruthless enemy of any nation.”

In Bavaria, he was well received as it fittingly bore the enterprising title, The Boom.

This show broadened the scope of art through commerce.

The Boom exposed the value of art beyond aesthetics appreciation. It explained “transparency and stimulation of growth through collective collaboration of artists.”

Listed as beneficiaries are areas such as business, politics, for “exhibition organisers, curator and audience to providing insights into the present and future trends.”

Arguing that his art has a global perspective, Eni said: “The Boom is also the search of the world for Africa in Brexit times, new Europe, Asia and American political and cultural standpoints, where the search for raw materials, human strength and intelligence is on a fresh match.”

His hope is that The Boom will bring in a fair relationship among the people across cultures through all five continents, with focus on new emerging powers in Africa.

Another popular work of his, Israel and Palestine, is an installation and peace restoration performance. It is a work, which draws out the identity in armed conflicts.

In 2011, he heralded and patented the new ‘Light Paintings’ Art, and also the continuously analysed Basic Metric Scale for Art Product (BMSFAP), a price determinant scale for buying and selling of art works and products, which he propounded in his drama, the Death of the curator.