Professor Jerry Buhari, of the Department Fine Arts, Ahmadu Bello University, ABU, Zaria, Kaduna State has called for a deeper appreciation of art works in Nigeria beyond mere objects of decoration.
According Prof. Buhari, “Art exhibitions in Nigeria have evolved from showing an indiscriminate collection of works by artists to thematic presentations. Exhibitions have grown from documentation with basic information like posters, fliers and one slot TV or radio review to elaborate catalogues with critical essays and well-informed newspaper reviews. Some exhibitions today enjoy professional curatorial direction. These developments have enhanced a deeper appreciation of art beyond art as objects of decoration.”
He stated that there is need, “to encourage greater networks of collaborations among the different stakeholders like among artists, the arts associations, government galleries, private galleries, collectors, patrons, sponsors and art lovers. The collaborations should be organic, holding programmes that are structured around Nigeria’s cultural calendar in response to the global.”
On the auction of African arts to foreign lands, he explained that, “This is a development that has come to us sooner than expected and in the most ambitious dimension. Anything Nigerian is always big and ambitious. But I see in some of these auctions an indiscriminate selection and inclusion of works placed on auctions without the use of certain critical but basic considerations. For example; the quality of materials used, the age of the works and the need to always seek to authenticate the originality and source of works.”
Commenting on creating synergies through exhibitions, he said, “First you must recognise the existence of an indigenous art practice, appreciation and challenges that are independent of what obtains outside the geo-cultural boundaries called Nigeria. This is a fairly autonomous environment and it exists almost independently. By the way the same obtains even in the most advanced cultural centres of the world. The second scenario is looking at Nigerian art as part and parcel of the global community. If you do this you should expect that we are able to respond to and dialogue with new ideas and practices.
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