yoruba art

Nigerian born painter, Kunle Adegborioye who  is currently based in UK is back in Nigeria with a special message to inspire and engage the Nigerian audience  through his latest solo exhibition titled, My Voice; Exhibition of Paintings. The exhibition which opened on the 22nd May at Nike Art Gallery, Lekki, Lagos will run till May 29th 2010.

Addressing the press during the preview before the exhibition kicked off, Kunle who is not a full time artist confessed that dedication, focus and prolificity have been the driving force behind all that he has been doing.

A musical about Nigeria's most famous musician Fela Kuti is proving to be a surprising hit on Broadway, despite the lack of big stars or hit songs.

There is a moment in the show when Fela encounters an African-American woman named Sandra on a visit to Los Angeles.

As they share their respective experiences - she as a child of the American civil rights movement, he as an activist against his country's military dictatorship - their flirtatious, politically-charged banter heats up.

Soon they look admiringly at one another with the same realisation: "We have a lot to learn from each other."

The Yusuf Grillo Pavilion in Ikorodu will on April 3 celebrate the contemporary Nigerian art icon, Dr Bruce Onobrakpeya, as it’s star artist.

Last year at the official opening of the gallery, the gallery celebrated Professor Yusuf Grillo, after whom it was named. The event, held on April 11 (which was a Saturday before Easter Sunday), attracted art lovers from both within and outside Lagos. The keynote speaker was Professor Babatunde Lawal from the US-based Virginia Commonwealth University.

Another US-based Nigerian art critic, Professor Dele Jegede, will deliver the keynote lecture this year.

Mask head of the Queen Mother, Idia

One of the greatest defining characteristics of the historic Kingdom of Benin, now the capital of Edo State, is the bronze casting tradition. Established in the 14th century by Oba Oguola and placed under the hereditary leadership of the IneN’Igun Eronmwon, the art of bronze casting helped the ancient kingdom to produce some of the finest bronze heads, many of which were allegedly carted away by the invading British colonial forces during the Benin expedition of 1897.

LACK of appropriate facilities for exhibitions in most of the galleries in the country has always been the concern of artiste and other stakeholders. But the new Nike Art centre, recently opened for business, is responding positively to this challenge with the provision of necessary facilities for hosting exhibition of any size. Located in Lekki, Lagos, the four- storey building has art gallery, textile museum and a training section for young artists.

While a lot of people would expect King Sunny Ade to have retired, the exponent of Juju music is still waxing strong. It is no longer news that KSA, as he is popularly called, is one Nigerian singer that has recorded many ‘firsts’ in his music career. Forexample, he was the first Nigerian to win the KORA Music Awards and the first African to be nominated twice for the American Grammy Award.

In a few weeks’ time, history will be made in London, when the artwork of an African, Yinka Shonibare, will be commissioned for exhibition at London’s Trafalgar Square in the British Capital. It will be the first of its kind by any black artist, dead or alive. According to the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, the next commission for the world famous Fourth Plinth in London’s Trafalgar Square – Nelson’s Ship in a Bottle by leading Anglo-Nigerian artist, Yinka Shoninbare, will be formally unveiled on Monday May 24.

Popular singer, Sola Allyson-Obaniyi a.k.a Eji Owuro, is now a household name, particularly among lovers of indigenous Yoruba music. The young, talented musician also launched herself into full-blown musical career and fame with the same track entitled: Eji Owuro in a movie. Ahead of the launch of her latest album, the Ibadan-based songbird spoke to Daily Sun on her music, her life as a celebrity and breakthrough among other issues.

Sometimes last year, foremost writer and author, Prof Akinwunmi Ishola woke to a pleasant surprise in his Bolajoko Estate home in Ibadan. Although it was his 70th birthday, Baba as he is fondly called did not plan to hold any special occasion. But Ayan Agalu Soun Gobi Foundation had orchestrated a surprise birthday package for him.

The global art community lost two of its eminent members in the past three days. Master carver, Lamidi Olonade Fakeye died on Friday in Ile Ife, Osun State and was buried yesterday in his home town of Ila Orangun also in Osun. He was aged 84. Also, the South African writer and political activist, Dennis Brutus died at 85 on Boxing Day. A statement from his family representative, Patrick Bond read in part: "World-renowned political organizer and one of Africa's most celebrated poets, Dennis Brutus, died early on December 26 in Cape Town, in his sleep, aged 85".

Fakeye, according to his son, Rasheed Oladele Fakeye, passed on at 8 p.m. without showing any previous signs of illness. Oladele: "There was nothing to suggest any illness on that day. In fact, he drove himself in a car to an eatery that day. But later in the day we were surprised that he suddenly started showing some uncomfortable signals. He died at about 8 pm on Friday."