Jerry Buhari: The man and the earth

Worried that much of the country’s natural beauty is about to vaanish forever, with the desert widening more and more in the North, the Middle Belt becoming increasingly fragile and the Southern forests now only a shadow of what they used to be, including the constant bush fires that often burn from December to February, […]

Worried that much of the country’s natural beauty is about to vaanish forever, with the desert widening more and more in the North, the Middle Belt becoming increasingly fragile and the Southern forests now only a shadow of what they used to be, including the constant bush fires that often burn from December to February, Jerry Buhari voiced his concerns in the pieces he showcased.

Through installations, paintings and prints, ‘Man and Earth’ reflected the thoughts of the artist as he addressed the topic ‘Environmental Damage’ in different ways at different stages of his life as an artist. Using various styles and materials, he ‘mourned’, ‘reflected’ and ‘meditated’, and sometimes combining satire.

Buhari’s installations have been created in a joint effort by the artist and a colony of termites which ate their way through the mostly organic materials thus creating new forms as was evident in his piece, ‘The Regeneration of Dry Bones’.

While speaking on his inspiration to work, the artist said, “My work is inspired by my search for meaning in life. I use things, happenings and situations to explore this phenomenon. As I’m growing older, I am becoming more and more conscious of my identity as a human being first who has a definite life that is timed and accountable to the Almighty. Therefore, I am not an accident.

This gives me a sense of communal responsibility beyond the self. My cultural background gives me a rooted platform and point of reference. It sets me on a height that gives me a boundless horizon to explore and experiment. Conventional and unconventional materials are equal and exciting materials. My subjects include issues of environment, faith and socio-political concerns. When I explore aesthetic fields, my interest is drawn to ancient civilisations, their motifs, symbols and iconography.”

Speaking on the exhibition and its theme, Jerry Buhari explained the genesis of his work which led to the display. In his words, “This exhibition is a continuing dialogue which started in 1992 with the painting of a landscape in black and white. It was an abstract landscape painting where I sought to present a ravaged forest.

“The work became the beginning of my quest into exploring the relationship between man and the environment. I began to develop a growing consciousness of the encroaching desert from Northern Nigeria into the fragile Middle Belt. I also became more aware about the growing disappearance of the forest in the Southern part of the country.

“But perhaps of greater concern was, and is, the constant bush fires we witness every year between the months of December and February. During this period, these fires burn fragile vegetations leaving charred landscapes across the length and breadth of the country.”

The colour black is a prominent feature in the works to which the 50-year-old said, “The predominant use of black in the works in this show therefore seeks to mourn, reflect and meditate on the way humanity heats up the earth (“Tablets of Meditation”).

The event which opened with an overwhelming performance by the artist saw guests from various walks of life upon whom the works made great impact. One of such is accountant Olabisi Akande. “It is the first time I am seeing such art and having an understanding of what installation art is. I think it is a good theme that has been expressed here and such should be encouraged.

Mr Buhari has gained nationwide attention with performances and installations. As one of the founding members of the Aftershave Workshop, he has participated in various international workshops and exhibitions and is presently a lecturer at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.