T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ NOVEMBER 24, 2019
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ARTS & REVIEW\\FESTIVAL
LIMCAF’S CELEBRATION OF FUTURE MASTERS
Besides being Nigeria’s longest running visual arts event, Life in My City Art Festival – better known by its acronym LIMCAF – represents a beacon of hope for its teeming young talents and reunites the crème de la crème of the country’s art scene in Enugu. Okechukwu Uwaezuoke reports
Victor Olaoye, this year's LIMCAF's overall prize winner
L
ike almost all the 100 finalists of this year's Life in My City Art Festival's competition, Victor Olaoye had arrived in Enugu that Friday, November 15 full of hopes. All he initially wanted was to produce a painting that would be the cynosure of all
eyes. And stand out, the charcoal and acrylic on canvas painting, which he titled: Angel among Gods, did. This was at the Lagos zonal exhibition, which was just one of the several zonal exhibitions of the annual festival, also known by its acronym LIMCAF. The feedback he got from fellow artists, collectors and critics at that exhibition buoyed his confidence and hopes. "I had an intuitive feeling that something massive was looming," the fourth year sculpture major of Adeyemi Federal University in Ondo State disclosed. On finally getting to Enugu and seeing the works his painting would be competing with, his confidence began to wane. Now, all he was left with was hope. "I was nervous," he confessed. The 19-year-old became even more nervous when he survived the elimination from among the initial 25 called to the stage. This was in the evening of the next day (Saturday, November 16). Shortly after that, he found himself among the last four standing. By this time, a consoling thought that he had at least been chosen as one of the artists who – through the courtesy of Professor El Anatsui – would be sent to the Dakar Art Biennale next year, lurked somewhere within him. Suddenly, almost like in a dream, he found himself all alone on stage. A wave of excitement coursed through his slight frame, as he observed the activities around him. Relief, a sense of fulfilment and gratitude took their turns in asserting themselves in the hearth of his thoughts. So, he had won the overall prize! His being declared winner was only a matter of time and mere formality. To clinch the prize, Olaoye had beaten the three other runners-up and category winners – namely, Samson Maduabuchi Ejiofor (whose work, "Headlines" won the Best Sculpture/ Installation/Ceramics), Folashade Rashidat Fagorusi (winner of the Best Textile Art category with the work, "Hello") and Toritseju Favour Clarke (who won the Best Graphics/ Multimedia/Digital Art prize category with the work, "Inverse"). Joining these four for the next year's Dakar trip are Doris Onyinye Chukwuma, whose
Governor Ugwuanyi, who assured the organisers of his government's continued support. Meanwhile, LIMCAF's festival week had had to be shifted from its traditional last week in October to Monday, November 11 to Saturday, November 16, this year. This was primarily because of the inconveniences caused by the temporary closure of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu. Yet, it couldn't have been a coincidence that the gala and awards night held on the posthumous birthday of the late nationalist and first president of Nigeria – as well as its only governor-general – Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe. This was corroborated by the fact that the festival's lecture, delivered by the University of Nigeria, Nsukka-based art historian Professor Ola Oloidi, had as its theme: "Nnamdi Azikiwe, Early Influence in the Development of Art – The Olasekan Example". The lecture, which was one of the several activities held so far in the name of the late political icon, was tailored to the purpose of LIMCAF. Winner, Best Sculpture, Installation and Ceramics category, Headlines by Samson Ejiofor This year, which is LIMCAF's 13th Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; the Obi of Onitsha, edition, flagged off its festival week on Monday, work "She Craves" won her the Justice Aniagolu Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, Professor Bruce November 11 with the opening of the grand finale Prize for Originality, and Emmanuel Dare Idowu, Onobrakpeya (who chaired the occasion) exhibition at the International Conference Centre who won the Dr Pius Okigbo Prize for Technical and Professor Ola Oloidi (who delivered the of the Institute of Management and Technology's Proficiency with his work "Ecstasy Within". festival's lecture the previous day). Of course, campus in the up-market Independence Layout Of course, the sifting process could not have the capacity-filled auditorium (venue of the neighbourhood of Enugu. been an easy task for the judging panel, led by high octane event) was also teeming with Following closely on the heels of this opening the renowned Lagos-based artist Nsikak Essien. such other eminent guests as the Chairman, was a two-day art workshop held at the National Indeed, the judges had acknowledged that it Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council, Igwe Gallery of Art, tucked away somewhere in the G. was a "challenging task" selecting the best from Lawrence Agubuzo, the MTN Foundation's R. A. neighbourhood of Enugu. The workshop "a diverse collection of artworks from artists with themed: "Wastethetics: Creating Treasures from varying ideologies or schools of thought in Nigerian Dennis Okolo (whose presence confirmed the unflinching support of the telecomTrash", had Dotun Popoola as its guest artist and contemporary landscape". munications company MTN), Alphonsus facilitator. Expectedly, adherence to the theme by the conOkoronkwo (who represented one of the Another workshop – a three-day affair that testants seemed rather nebulous. Yet, their right to festivals sponsors, FBN Holdings), Chief featured 100 selected secondary school in Enugu interpret it as they wished just has to be conceded to Robert Orji (the founder of the Life in My City – held from Tuesday, November 12 to Thursday, them. For each of the works, displayed at the grand Art Festival), Elder K. U. Kalu (the LIMCAF's November 14 and created mosaic murals on the finale exhibition held at the Enugu-based Institute board of trustees chairman), Chief Lauretta walls of the Enugu State International Conferof Management and Technology's International Aniagolu (a member of the LIMCAF's board ence Centre close to Okpara Square. Also on Conference Centre, jostled for the viewers' attenof trustees), Dr Obiora Anidi (the chairman Thursday, November 16, an art exhibition, titled tion in their uniqueness. Many had favoured the of the board of the Enugu State Council for Resilience, held at the National Gallery of Art. conceptual approach in their interpretation, while Arts and Culture), the veteran broadcaster The excitement around the art fiesta graduquite a number addressed the theme tangentially. VinMartin Ilo and Professor Paul Modum (a ally swelled to a crescendo with the arrival of For the jury, it was all about the "moderation former commissioner for information, social the 100 selected artists from all over Nigeria of freewill; freewill of the artist to relate his/her development, youth, sports and culture in the on Friday, November 15. For many of them, creations to the various possibilities the theme old Anambra State), among others. LIMCAF was like open sesame to a brighter offers." Recall that these were the works that had In his opening remarks, Professor Onobrak- future. First-timer Samuel Ujadu Iye from Zaria survived the winnowing from 550 entries that peya had commended "the continual growth zone, for instance, had made several previous had registered for the competition. The process of in the quality of [the works featured in the] unsuccessful attempts to be part of the LIMCAF elimination was in stages. The jury disclosed that final 100 during his undergraduate years at the there was an "online elimination of some entries and exhibition", which he said was "the result of individual inner nurturing of the 'child artist Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. "It was not a further critical selection by the zonal jury, from the within'". This quality, he added, was "bound until this year that I emerged from the zonal various zones." to grow in strength even for those who do not stage and was allowed to come to Enugu," he Even after the 100 for the grand finale exhibition win prizes. If they continue to strive in that said. Francis David, who trained at the Auchi had been selected, the judging processes became way, then surely there is no limit to what they Polytechnic and is currently posted to the Cross more rigorous and critical. This was evident in the can achieve." River State capital, Calabar for his youth service pruning down of the works, first to 50 and then to "In this regard," he continued. "Life in My programme, had out of his three attempts made 25 works. "With a fine-tooth comb, the 25 were indeCity has scored very highly. Not only do some it twice to the finals in Enugu. Though like pendently assessed by each juror-using the criteria, Iye, he failed to win any prize, he remains to arrive at the different level winners," the statement of the young contestants have opportunity to sell their productions, but some also get to win undaunted in his bid to make history by evenfrom the jurors further read. "Even after this point, cash prizes on the spot, while some of them tually winning the overall prize. Ditto 19-yearcritical deliberations ensued to place in context the will be exposed to art at much higher levels old Nsukka-based Daniel Edikan Nelson, who outcome. The entire process was democratic." through the sponsorship offered by Professor hails from Akwa Ibom State and was making True, the artists might have deserved a standing El Anatsui." his first appearance at the grand finale. ovation. But, so also does the jury, which besides More speeches as well as musical presentaThere is no gainsaying the annual festival's Nsikak Essien also featured such accomplished tions by the Enugu Chamber Choir and growing acceptance among young artists across professionals as Sam Ovraiti, Klaranze Okhide, cultural dances from the Akalaka Cultural the country. Thumbs up to the organisers for Erasmus Onyishi and Dr Lasisi Lamidi. Troupe trailed his speech and prepared the staying the course despite the challenges the Still on the grand finale gala and awards night, audience for the prize awards. Heartannual fiesta had faced since its inception in it was expectedly graced by distinguished personwarming was the presence of the Enugu State 2007. alities, who included the Enugu State Governor