THISDAYonline

The Bruce Onobrakpeya Foundation (BOF) recentely hosted journalists to intimidate them on the upcoming events namely the 5th Harmattan Workshop the highpointy of which will be an exhibition titiled: Rhymes of the Forge. The exhibition is which opens on February 1 will run till February 14, 2003 at the Aina Onabolu Building, National Gallery of Art, Lagos. It billed to feature works of 51 artists.

According to Ekpo Udo Udoma, an art consultant, the spokesman of BOF at the press briefing, the purpose of the exhibition is essentially to display the experimental works produced by participants at the 4th Harmattan Workshop, which took place last year in Agbarha-Otor, Delta State between February 24, 2002 and March 23, 2002.

"Rhymes of the Forge," Udoma says, "signifies the successful completion of the fourth edition of the Harmattan Workshop Series and effectively ushers BOF into the fifth edition of the workshop which is an event that has come to symbolize the essence of the Nigerian artist in the area of experimentation and exploration of forms and techniques in studio practice."

He stated that all the editions of the Harmattan workshop series to date have achieved remarkable breakthroughs in the areas of participation adding that it has also helped in discovering artists who never thought that they had any creative impulse. He maintained that the workshops had resulted in the creative transformation of these group of artists who would have, otherwise never contemplated practicing art as a vocation, so much so that they some are now professionals in their own in their chosen areas of expression. Examples abound in the works of artists like Godwin Onobrakpeya, a graduate of Business Administration turned artist. The first and second workshop provided him an opportunity to try his hands in art production and today his works are not only on stand at exhibitions, they are also treasured and acquired by notable art collectors. There is also Da Silva, a Public Relations consultant who was at last last year's Harmattan Workshop . He was also one of those who befeitted from the workshop. Some of his abstract colourful paintings were at exhibition stands.

Others have benefited from the workshops by way of being of being exposed to new techniques and ideas as well as diversify modes of expression particularly, in the area of their choice of media. For instance, an artist like Emmanuel Ekpeni admitted that the workshops have really helped him to improve his 'rhapsody' technique during his solo exhibition last year at Nimbus Gallery, Lagos while Peju Layiwola, said she has added metal foil reliefs and additive plastography to her repertoire of media.

According to Dr. Agberia, a ceramist and lecturer in the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, also one of the facilitators of the workshop, "the workshops have achieved its set goal of bringing together visual artists from institutions of higher learning, private studios and those who have not had the opportunity of receiving formal education in art, to create a melting pot of art in practice". This has no doubt improved the quality and level of innovative art practices among Nigerian artists.

Udoma added that "The workshops are not only for practical work but also for intellectual pursuit". He stressed that one of the highlights of the workshops have been the regular seminars and lectures which have always generated a lot of healthy debates on issues that relate to the development and practice of the visual arts.

Udoma noted that the popularity of the programme can be seen in the fact that each successive edition has always attracted more artists. The programme has also witnessed the introduction of improvements in all aspects, from the administration to the facilities that have been put in place for the comfort of participants, the studio equipment as well as the physical structures in the premises of the workshop site. Some of the participants have stated that the equipment on the site in some cases have surpassed what is available in many institutions of higher learning in Nigeria. During the fourth Harmattan Workshop a kiln for the firing of ceramic wares was constructed and successfully test fired by the participants in the ceramic section supervised by the facilitators in that section; there was also the launching of a wholly Nigerian made etching press fabricated by a local technician in Lagos. The press, which was commissioned by the Foundation, when tested rolled out very excellent prints and has been branded Onobrak Press. The message here is that the artist can be a bridge between technological development and creative discovery. It is therefore incumbent on those in positions of authority to pay more attention to the arts than they have hitherto been doing.

He draws attention to the last Harmattan Workshop, saying it "saw the participation of established artists like Ben Ekanem, the creator of the imposing Queen Amina statue that used to be in front of the National Theatre Iganmu, Lagos, and Chris Afuba a renowned Nigerian sculptor and a member of the AKA Circle of Artists based in Enugu. We also had the privilege of playing host to Emmanuelle Fourschard, a French researcher and doctoral candidate from Paris as well as the Lagos Bureau Chief of the Reuters International News Agency."

Highlights of the next workshop coming up at the conclusion of Rhymes of the Forge, February 23, to March 22, 2003 in Agbarha Otor. It has been predicted to be much better than previous workshops because of the calibre of artists participating. According to BOF, participants from Benin Republic, Togo and Ghana are expected. "We shall also be introducing Textiles as a new department. The facilitator for this section is a Ghanaian lady. Just as the Bronze casting/ Jewellery section was a new addition last year and it attracted a lot of attention, we hope that the textile section will equally be as interesting. As we move along, our plan is to keep introducing new areas of art practice in attempt to keep up with the needs of participants. Agbarha-Otor 2003 will also be special in that we will be having a lawyer come in to talk to us about intellectual property rights. As visual artists this is an area where knowledge is still limited. We hope that a lot will be learned from the exercise. The theme for the fifth Harmattan Workshop shall be Art and Charity. We hope to look at ways to promote compassion for the less privileged. In this regard, we shall be pledging a percentage of proceeds of sales of the works to some Nigerian charities to be identified in due course."

Speaking of the behalf of BOF, Udoma says "we would like to say that the arts encourages creativity as well as a greater appreciation of our environment and sensibilities. What we are doing at the workshops may not be too clear to the passive viewer but one day we shall be able to fully comprehend what it all means. Great things they say come in small packages and this workshop which started six years ago with less than 15 artists we believe will one day became not just an annual event that Nigerian artists will look forward to but also an international event that will compete with other international events for participants, sponsorships as well as endorsements."

The Workshop, is an annual event initiated six years ago, by Dr. Bruce Onobrakpeya (MFR), who was one of the 204 Nigerians that received the national merit award, under the auspices of BOF, a non-governmental organization, also founded by the art master and renowned print maker for the growth and development of art and culture through the provision of opportunities for artists to improve themselves.

Onobrakpeya also used the opportunity to show his appreciation to those who have been of assistance to BOF. "Finally, it would be only be fair to say that we have come this far with the assistance of others. A number of corporate sponsors have assisted us along the way and we would like to acknowledge their support over the years. The Ford Foundation, National Gallery of Art, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Dynamic Portfolios Ltd, Swipha, Masoma Africa Foundation for the Arts, Asea Brown Boveri Ltd, Xerox H.S. (Nigeria) Ltd, and Cadbury Nigeria Plc. This year we are particularly grateful to the Ford Foundation, Nestle Nigeria Plc, and of course the National Gallery of Art who have always come to our aid especially in providing a venue for our exhibitions. We would also like to thank individuals who have contributed one way or the other; most especially we thank Prof. Perkins Foss, Dr. Anyakora and others who have contributed morally, materially, and financially. The kind of activities we have been embarking on require a lot of resources to carry out. We therefore continue to request for as much assistance from well meaning individuals and organizations."

This year's, 2003, appears to be geared toward making dreams realities, as most of the artists present bared their minds on issues affecting the tribe. What will make this year exciting however will be innovations and discoveries among these creative ones without that it will become an age old story still of creativity.

Present at the briefing were some of the facilitators of the workshop, namely Mike Omoighe, Olu Amoda, Sam Ovraiti and Kunle Adeyemi, Chairman, Society of Nigerian Artists (SNA). There also it was acknowledged that the head of Department, Omoighe has been elevated to the position of Dean at the Yaba College of Technology, Akoka. However with the likes of Olu Amoda, who was at the Documenta 11, in Kassel, coming much will be expected from the fifth workshop as hopes are high to impact skills and knowledge during this time.

Other issues discussed was the facilitating of conference for art writers so as to familiarise them in the use of artistic language and description in art analysis and criticism, it is seen as Also discussed were attitudes of the artists as blames were laid on them on not making headway for total recognition in the society and with government.