One of Nigeria’s fast-rising visual artists, Tunde Jooda, has called for religious tolerance. This call was made at his art exhibition held recently at the Nike Art Gallery in Abuja.
The exhibition has a theme, Al-Bayan, which is an Arabic term for lucidity or clarity. The faith-based exhibition had both Muslims and non-Muslims gushing at the intricate but artistic blend of arresting colourful strokes that carry a deep representation of the many titles ascribed to God. It also had a dire pattern on them amplifying and celebrating the Yoruba culture.
The paintings though crafted in Arabic, had the artist interpreting them in English. Speaking to The Guardian, Jooda said: “This exhibition calls for unity. We are all one in the eyes of God no matter our religious differences. I did these art pieces to make a statement.
“So, whenever the Arab audience comes to Africa and visits this gallery, they can get a feel of both Islamic and Nigerian culture. I infuse the African motif into Arabic lettering called calligraphy. I have been putting these together for almost 10 years now. I am elated at the success of it.”
The curator of the exhibition, Yusuf Durodola, lauded the artist’s infusion of Arabic lettering and cultural patterns when he said: “If we say art is a universal language, it should be able to speak any language at any point in time. At this point, it is speaking the Arabic language coupled with Yoruba culture. Being religious doesn’t entail leaving your culture. This exhibition couldn’t have come at a better time than this Salah festivity. Tunde deserves all the flowers he can get.”
Consequently, the President, of the Society of Nigerian Artists (SNA), Muhammad Sulieman, showered encomiums on the artist when he said: “Tunde Jooda today said he was coming with what he feels that unifies people on the side of faith. The names of God he represented there going to say that what faith preaches to the world is peace. This message is timely, big kudos to the amazing artist.”
The founder of the gallery, Chief Nike Okundaye, expressed her excitement about the exhibition when she said: “I think we are one, whether Muslim or Christian. This will bring us together because we call on the same God. This is the first time we are having this sort of exhibition since the opening of the gallery in Abuja.”
