‘Nigerian works are still undervalued’

Why did you decide on art and painting? Art was a talent from childhood which I discovered as early as nursery and primary school. I was involved in art competitions from that level up to secondary school. Despite all of these, I didn’t want to study art in university but my parents encouraged me to […]

Why did you decide on art and painting?

Art was a talent from childhood which I discovered as early as nursery and primary school. I was involved in art competitions from that level up to secondary school. Despite all of these, I didn’t want to study art in university but my parents encouraged me to go ahead and develop the talent.

I majored in painting because I found visual arts more challenging than industrial or applied arts. More so, I love to create and painting gave me the stage to do so and led me to winning the Best Graduating Painting Student prize among nine guys in the 2003/04 session.

You have been involved in various visual art activities. Could you tell us about them? 

I have been involved in arts exhibitions within and outside Nigeria as well as attended symposiums nationally and internationally. I have had over 20 group shows and my maiden solo is underway.

Your profile states that you were in Bamako recently as part of a group of selected artists.

I was attending the 2nd Bamako Summer School. This edition was the Bamako Symposium on the Arts: Tapping Local Resources for Sustainable Development In the 21st Century, which ran from July 23rd to the 30th.

During the symposium, I had a presentation entitled, ‘Nigerian arts and material innovation’. Here my works and few other Nigerian artists who have innovated in terms of material content were reviewed.

With all the talk and efforts at auctioning art, do you think Nigerian art is ripe enough for auctioning?

Yes, I think the Nigerian art is ripe for auctioning and this is really a positive growth for the sector. Recently, at an auction of African art in New York in March, the five most expensive pieces sold were of Nigerians. A painting by the late Ben Enwonwu went for $91,000.

Some buyers are speculating that the Nigerian works are still undervalued. Giles Peppiatt, director of contemporary African art at Bonhams, a British auction house that hosted the New York sale, says prices will still rise in this niche market. With the auctions, proper pricing and valuation of Nigerian arts will be achieved.