Terrakulture exhibitors explain their styles

The artists showcased works in different styles with each artist expressing himself in his way. The event which brought together art enthusiasts took place at the Terrakulture in Victoria Island, Lagos, from November 26 to December 6, this year With the hope that the exhibition would expose the wealth and diversity found in Nigerian contemporary […]

The artists showcased works in different styles with each artist expressing himself in his way.

The event which brought together art enthusiasts took place at the Terrakulture in Victoria Island, Lagos, from November 26 to December 6, this year

With the hope that the exhibition would expose the wealth and diversity found in Nigerian contemporary arts, one of the artists, Danjuma, explained the idea behind “A Drink” his work: “this is a painting in a series that looks at the plight of the rural woman. It shows a woman having a drink in a hot afternoon. However, the painting is subtly asking the question, “what is the source of the drink?”; especially when we know that those who are expected to provide her community with clean potable water have not done their jobs. Could she be drinking water that has the cholera bacteria?”

Known for his artistry made from discarded materials, Professor Jacob Jari said his many travels have influenced his creations. “I have been around much of my country and I have seen things. Depending on one’s location and awareness, Nigeria is either exalted or damned. This location is both geographic and societal. Despite any situation, however, we have a great sense of communion. Coming together to share in happiness or sadness is a way of life that is taken for granted. My work mimics this communion.”

“With titles sometimes inspired by African musicians, particularly songs sang by them which transport me to dreamland,” Jari said he employs objects which have been discarded. “The two media I presently use are discarded pages of magazines and fabric off-cuts. In the case of the pages of magazines, I roll them up into capsules, a technique I learnt in Uganda. There could be different layers of interpretation to these capsules but suffice it to state that, like drug capsules, these word capsules could heal or destroy depending on their administration. The fabric off-cuts which I pick up from the dumps of tailors represent pieces of choices we make which are a part of us. I use them to “heal” a defaced canvas, representing our country.”

The non-representation of the artist’s works allowed viewers to engage closely with the medium, which seemed to bring a fresh and seemingly respectful attention to a once discarded object. The works were reviewed for proper documentation by art critic and historian Dr. Gambo Duniya.