Exhibition showcases Alakija, colonial history

For two days, art enthusiasts in Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory, were treated top no less than 30 works of Polly Alakija a British-Nigerian artist as well as photography chronicling Nigeria’s colonial history.  The exposition which took place at the Ozidu House, Maitama, featured paintings, installations and mixed media works among other crafts like throw pillows, […]

For two days, art enthusiasts in Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory, were treated top no less than 30 works of Polly Alakija a British-Nigerian artist as well as photography chronicling Nigeria’s colonial history. 

The exposition which took place at the Ozidu House, Maitama, featured paintings, installations and mixed media works among other crafts like throw pillows, scarves and notepads and was curated by Hamza Atta. 

The curator explained that the essence of organizing the exhibition was to create historic awareness, promoting art and culture through collection of paintings, sculptures and photographs by renowned artists. This is against the backdrop of his worry over the thirst of Nigeria’s young to assimilate Western culture.

Atta, in an interview with journalists, said, “We are not writing our own narrative. Somebody else is telling us our own history. If you go to schools now to go and find out about Nigeria history you will find out that that history only start when ‘Oyinbo’ (Colonial masters) came; what about before, did we not exist before?

“So, if you go onto the first floor, you will see that I have some pictures showing some of the old Obas; showing some of the business that Nigerians were doing with the Oyinbos on their vessels. It was first of all just trading, then for instance I got w couple of pictures showing the destruction of Lagos, how they completely destroyed it.

“You will see the colonials coming to the hinterland and you will see that most of the walls are actually world cities. They destroyed all of them. The Benin wall was longer than the Great Wall of China and could be seen from the moon; they destroyed Benin City and stole our artifacts.”

He said, “the idea is to have an art exhibition and through art, show the journey how they came, how they ban our traditional religions for instance, how they introduced Islam and Christianity. How they now move from Oba to their own district heads, governors and from there to their own police force and all the produced they were exporting and so on.”

Alakija who is currently the Chairperson of the Lagos State Council for Arts and Culture also became more known to many for her work, ‘Pillars of Strength.’ It featured 50 faces of women she painted on 50 pillars of Falomo Bridge, Ikoyi, Lagos.

She described her style as relatively easy to read and figurative. She exhibited works ‘She didn’t come to Lagos to count bridges,’ ‘Freedom,’ ‘Jazz’ and ‘School boy’ fascinated guests with her use of poetic text as base for her works. 

The advocate of using colours in their original state rather than mixing them said, the strength of the colours in her works come from her decision to use them as they have originally been produced rather than mess around with them.

Alakija’s who enjoys painting murals and big canvasses, also writes and illustrates for children is also involved in community projects which have strong educational element.

Also exhibited were handmade jewelry, rugs, baskets and home accessories by Ozoza Lifestyle.

Atta informed that such exhibitions will be a bi-monthly event in a bid to promote Nigerian art, history, culture and tradition.