Lagos State Government Holds Art Expo in Honour of Late Gbadamosi
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FUNKE OSAE-BROWN
The Lagos State Government will on Friday hold an art expo in memory and honour of late art connoisseur and co-chairman of Lagos at 50 Committee, Rasheed Gbadamosi.
The expo named, Rasheed Gbadamosi Eko Art Expo, will be an exhibition of selected works of masters by galleries in the state and works done by students of Lagos tertiary institutions including photography previously showcased in Brussels, Belgium.
Steve Ayorinde, Lagos Commissioner of Information and Strategy said at a media meeting to announce the Rasheed Gbadamosi Eko Art Expo on Saturday at Terra Kulture, Victoria Island, the state government feels it should do more to celebrate an illustrious Lagosian, a true son of Lagos.
“We have supported Nollywood last year,” he said of the state’s interest in visual art, “when Lagos was chosen as the city in focus at the Toronto Festival. People have asked if the government’s support is limited to music and the film industry. This expo shows that Governor Akinwunmi Ambode is serious about using the entertainment, and the arts industry general, to grow the state economy. The expo shows the government’s support for the arts is not limited to music and film but visual art also.”
According to him, the expo also kick starts activities for the Lagos at 50 Celebration which began May last year. “It will culminate into a ceremony throughout the month of May with a grand finale celebration on May 27th. We will have an activity each day for 50 days starting April 8, 2017 till May 27th when we will have a grand celebration of Lagos 50th birthday.”
Azu Nwagbogu, director, African Artists Foundation and curator of the photography section of the expo explained pieces that will be featured at the exhibition were previously exhibited at the Centre for Fine Arts in Brussels, Belgium (Bozar) where governor Ambode was a special guest in 2016. One hundred works showing different sides of Lagos as a city with the theme ‘Dey Your Lane’ will be on display at the Rasheed Gbadamosi Art Expo.
Sinmidele Adesanya, owner, Mydrim Gallery, who curated the galleries and works done by students that will be shown at the event said more than 400 works will be on display, with each gallery showing 20 pieces each.
“This has been a long time coming,” said Adesanya. “What we have had over the years are private individuals growing the visual art industry alone. We are grateful to the state government for this initiative. What we will have is an exhibition of young, emerging and master artists. 25 galleries will be participating showcasing works in their collections. The government has gone into schools to encourage students to be a part of this. Despite the economic situation, it is amazing the kind of talents shown by these students.”
In addition to the exhibition, there will be a dance production by QDance Centre titled ‘Iwa Lewa’ while famous performance poets like Akeem Lasisi will also be there to perform.
The Rasheed Gbadamosi Eko Art Expo which will take place at the Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island from Friday January 27th to Sunday 29th will be declared open by Governor Ambode at 5pm on Friday.
