For stride in music, visual arts patronage, AMIAF 2023 to honour Obi Asika

From the vastness of the Nigerian creative space, quite a number of professionals will be honoured at the second edition of ArtMiabo International Art Festival (AMIAF 2023). Obi Asika, whose interests in The Arts cut across music, visual arts, among others will be one of the AMIAF Award 2023 recipients.

Themed Art of Afrobeats,‘ and holding from April 27-May l 2023, at Ebonylife Place, Victoria Island Lagos, AMIAF 2023 edition isregared as a rare visual arts festival with focus and theme on thetrajectory of the Afrobeat music genre. Conceived by founder andartist, Miabo Enyadike, AMIAF made its debut last year at the same venue, bringing a rich concept of exhibition into the visual arts scene.

Asika, founder and CEO of Storm 360 – an indigenous music label– has supported quite a number omof Nigerian creative professionals including Naeto C, Ikechukwu, General Pype, L.O.S., Ms Jaie, Tosin Martins, Yung 6ix and Sasha P, among others in the Afrobeats and R&B genres.

From historical context of the ‘Art of Afrobeats’ theme of AMIAF 2023, Asika shared the thoughts of a strong link between art and Afrobeats. “I think the pastels and colours of our visual arts and culture have long been seen in Afrobeats colours,” he noted during a chat. “If you see a TG Omori Ashake video, you see all of these elements come together effortlessly.” He explained that the directorial energies in the said musical video is something worth seeing for directors who are  more “concerned about the aesthetic than the superficial bling and accessories.”

And in broader scope, Asika argued that as much as Afrobeat and fashion has pushed “the notion of African luxury” into the popular culture space, there is need to be more “intentional” about suchduality. “I would like to see more collaborations between our major music talents and their African counterparts both on the continent and globally.“ Yes, Nigerian music is already global, he agreed, but added that “it‘s important to bring cultural goods and products along with it so that we can monetize further.“

Bringing his thoughts to the specificity of art, Asika stated: “For me our taste and culture and art have inspired Europe from Van Gogh to Versace, but we were cut out of the benefits loop, it is time for us to bring our taste to the world through our cuisine, fashion, art, style, dance, comedy and general joie de vivre.”

He noted that though the music is energising all of the soft power, but being specific goes a long way. Asika cited, for example, “the collaboration between Osinachi, who is one of the top Digital artists in the world and a global pioneer in NFts, who collaborated with Don Jazzy to release a very well received NFT collection.“ Such collaboration, he hoped will bring much results as Nigerian contentsmusic progresses on the global stage. “It will take along with it all the core elements of our soft power and culture.“

Asika’s career suggests that he is not exactly new to visual arts. He is a major family art collection, of mainly antiquities such as igbo masks, Nok objects, Igbo-Ukwu bronzes, among others.

AMIAF is enjoying supports from Piql,

Cabal, Multichoice Nigeria, Ebonylife Place, JCDecaux, and Translucent S.I. Communication.

And what does the new addition AMIAF award mean to Asika? “In the first place, it‘s a delight to be honoured, having been a custodian of a major family art collection like igbo masks, some Nok, bronzes, igbo-ukwu,” Asika enthused. “I also have a hub and museum at Onitsha, Iba Ajie, which was launched during the COVID-19pandemic, as well as being active in the community, enabling schools and kids to come and use our facilities.”

Highlighting his interest in AMIAF, Asika disclosed that he love the focus of the festival. “I am a big fan of the important work that Miabo is doing and her own talent as an artist herself. I strongly believe we need more of such events in Nigeria.“

AMIAF 2023 is not just taking from the current pool of art appreciation, but also investing into the energies of the future. This much comes with AMIAF Slot 2023, a talent space for young artistsbetween age 25-35.

Enyadike announced 12 shortlist finalists from 100 entries received for AMIAF Slot 2023. Paul Ogunlesi, Oladele Ogbeyemi, Kakulu Ehime, Ganiyat Oriyomi, Faith Michael, Adeniyi Adewole, Daniel Oruwhone, Azeez Salami, Adedamola Adeyemo, Alu Kofoworola, Atiye Afolabi and Popoola Nurudeen are the 12 finalists. “Each AMIAF Slot 2023 finalist will be given individual exhibition space at no cost to feature their ‘artofafrobeats‘ artworks in the Artmiabo International Art Festival, starting on April 27– May 1 2023 at Ebonylife Place Victoria Island, Lagos Nigeria,” Enyadike stated.

To be curated by Yusuf Durodola, AMIAF 2023, features nearly 30 artists from different parts of the world. Among the artists and historian with link to Afrobeat participating in the event are LemiGhariokwu as guest fine artist; historian and music promoter, Ed Keazor; and France-based designer, Babatunde Banjoko.