Art In Da House 2010: Celebrating women and Nigeria @ 50

Now what are the things that make ART IN DA HOUSE different? First, it holds in a house, somebody’s house, and that ‘somebody’ must have donated the house for the purpose; so that living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, kitchens, car parks are all converted to a mini exhibition hall. Secondly, it holds in just a […]

Now what are the things that make ART IN DA HOUSE different? First, it holds in a house, somebody’s house, and that ‘somebody’ must have donated the house for the purpose; so that living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, kitchens, car parks are all converted to a mini exhibition hall. Secondly, it holds in just a day, meaning it is more like an urgent market. It does not entail a lot of speeches as it is more of appreciation of the works of art itself. And because of the conception, ART IN DA HOUSE tends to be informal. But do not take anything away  from it: it is not only that ART IN DA HOUSE is revolutionary; it is also achieving its grand aim which is to bring art into our homes for it to be appreciated and ultimately introduce the household and visitors to the beautiful world of the art. All these joined to make the 2010 edition of the exhibition a day to remember in the life of Abuja visual art enthusiasts who attended.
This year marks the sixth year of pushing through the vision of ART IN DA HOUSE in the serene city of Abuja. And this year’s edition was used to celebrate Nigerian women as the country marks its jubilee independent celebration. According to Mr. Meekam Mgbenwelu, the founder, “this year’s ART IN DA HOUSE exhibition is special in the sense that we are recognizing the Nigerian women. Today is dedicated to the unsung role women play in nation building.”
Despite its turbulent 50 years of existence, he added, Nigeria still offers immense hope and the arts will drive the Nigerian renaissance and usher in a rebirth for the nation.
“I hope this sixth edition of ART IN DA HOUSE will give rise to a sense of shared optimism and a future where all Nigerians irrespective of gender, faith or ethnic group are unhindered in the expression of their God given endowments,” he said.
The exhibition featured ten Nigerian female artists: Chinwe Uwatse, Millicent Osumuo, Ndidi Emefiele, Rita Anyiam St. John, Tyna Adebowale, Victoria Udodian, Hermine Spies Coleman, Klara Nze, Ross Adidu, and Patience Adidu. Works displayed included paintings, photography, mixed media and Card Graphics, all displaying various themes on Nigeria, and especially the ever present women issues. Being that these artists are extremely talented and of course are some of the finest Nigeria has got at the moment, the works were quite compelling, intriguing and artistically intense. It was an awe-inspiring chatter on the canvass as the works communicated so much just at one glance.
Speaking on the exhibition, the coordinator of the artists, Millicent Osumuo said choosing to celebrate Nigeria at 50 is just their way of recognizing what Nigeria means to them as artists. “Nigeria is 50. It is a great thing, even to us artists. So this is our way of celebrating the country, which is our own country. Many people celebrate Nigeria in many ways, this is our way,” she said.
“But at 50, Nigerian women artists are now being recognized. We are now being celebrated as you can see with this exhibition. I think it is really encouraging. And we hope to move higher as the country grows older,” she concluded.
One of the exhibiting artists, Rita Anyiam St. John was the only one who exhibited photography, which she said is her life and other thing she does is work. She said it all started out of her love for pictures and nature. “I could watch an ant for hours, how they are coming, going or watching leaves or flowers.”
She said further that these days her photography is driven by adventure, which shows in her shots many of which were shot in remote and fortuitous places in Nigeria. “I’ve traveled most of Nigeria. I travel to see all our tourism sites, see our culture and our heritages. I love our traditions a lot and I feel we don’t appreciate them enough. I’ve been to the Death Mountain on the Nigerian border with Cameroun. I’ve been to Obudu.  I’ve been to many Fulani settlements, Argungu, Osun, Yankari, Plateau.  In fact, I don’t know where I’ve not been to. As I go, I open my eyes, and it is as I do that I take my shots. They are all an appreciation of what God has done for us in Nigeria.”
By the time the exhibition was coming to an end at dusk, a number of the works had exchanged hands, and the satisfied audience could not but ask when the next edition will hold.
Mrs. Ify Umeadi was one of the guests of the evening. She runs an NGO, Pacesetters Women Empowerment. She said, “This exhibition is good in that it shows that there are a lot of female talents in the country now coming out and showcasing their talents, bringing out their voice because that is what it is all about, women finding their voice in the affairs of this nation. It also goes to show that there are women out there, even though unknown, but they are doing things. The talent they showcased today is a way of saying they are here and they are doing their best for the country.”