Female artists celebrate women’s with visual arts

The foyer of the Transcorp Hilton Hotel Abuja wore a different look last Saturday when works of 30 artists, including one male guest artist, adorned the arena in commemoration of the 101st edition of the International Women’s Day celebration. Artists under the auspices of the Female Artists Association of Nigeria (FEAAN) discussed issues affecting women […]

The foyer of the Transcorp Hilton Hotel Abuja wore a different look last Saturday when works of 30 artists, including one male guest artist, adorned the arena in commemoration of the 101st edition of the International Women’s Day celebration. Artists under the auspices of the Female Artists Association of Nigeria (FEAAN) discussed issues affecting women through sculpture, ceramics, mixed media, installations and paintings among other media.
National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) boss, Mrs. Dayo Keshi, special guest of the event recognised and appreciated the roles FEAAN  plays in the technical facilitation of the council’s flagship programmes such as the Arts and Crafts (AFAC) Expo and the National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST).
Re-stating her commitment towards upholding the ideals of the profession, Keshi said the NCAC will continue to explore other areas of collaboration with FEAAN in its various cultural programmes and projects.
FEAAN president, Ngozi Akande, explained that annually the group showcases art to mark the International Women’s Day celebration with different themes affecting women, each year. “These can be issues of the moment like today we have ‘Shades of Unity: Women Make it Happen,’ she said.“We chose the theme for the unity of Nigeria, calling for peace because when there is no peace, the women suffer more. They take care of the home, the children, they are the ones abused. So today we are celebrating them using our talents and creativity.”
French ambassador to Nigeria, Jacques Champagne de Labriolle, remarked that the event gives space to the too often painful reality of women’s lives across the world.
“The embassy of France with the support of its institute has chosen to mark the day by sharing for this edition, the artistic expression of 30 women artists,” he said. Describing the works as opening onto the diversity of artistic trends, Labriolle added that: “It is certainly the best way to an overview if Nigeria’s art scene through the eyes of women.”
Akande said Sor Sen, the only male exhibitor, who felt blessed being among women to showcase his works, ‘Self Analysis’ was selected because “he is a young vibrant artist and I was opportune to visit his exhibition where I saw works portraying his passion for women.”
With majority of the exhibited works made purposely to suit the theme, the artists, through their works critiqued subjects such as beauty, inequality, widowhood, rape, abduction and child rearing among others.
Anila Adnan, a Pakistani artist whose installation and mixed media works stood out, was participating for the first time at the forum. An interior decorator specialising in large murals, Adnan said that she used elements of nature to depict the theme of peace and harmony.  
“You can see from the vibrant colours which I have used, and incorporated things like beads and fabrics. All these represent women and things they do and use. That is why I chose to work with these materials. I made jugs with papier-mâché and other mixed medium pieces which I enjoy doing,” she explained.
She also displayed other works showing typical Pakistani elements inspired by various everyday features like trucks which is a growing art trend.
Sculptor, Leni Satsi presented five flower sculptures which she said represent womanhood as she has noticed over the years. She said her compositions were a representation of womanhood in the best of their colours, passion and what they have for the future of Nigeria, hoping for peace.
The exhibition well over a hundred works ended yesterday.