Hon. Ikem Uzoezie breaks Arts Exhibition records in Anambra, calls for Promotion of Art Works

By Odogwu Emeka Odogwu

Former Anambra state Lawmaker, Hon Ikem Uzoezie has broken another record with his Art Exhibition titled ‘Unexpected Changes’.

The Art exhibition held in Awka, Anambra State, was to showcase the different unanticipated vicissitudes which rocked human existence and interaction across the globe during the outbreak of coronavirus pandemic.

The 5 days unique Art exhibition curated by Hon Uzoezie who represented Aguata II Constituency, started on Tuesday December 14th and concluded on Saturday December 18th , 2021.

According to www.odogwublog.com correspondent the exhibition which was organized by Art24 Gallery, Awka, presented a series of familiar oil on canvas paintings, and other media, with themes and formal characteristics that are as culturally diverse as they are socially and politically significant.

The displayed works were executed by Valentine Okwei, Tony Enebeli, Nelson Okoh, Donald Onuoha, Segun Abraham, Oluwanbe Amodu, Frank Ohakwe, Edwin Iyobosa, Chris Abednego, Sor Sen and Ehiforia Akhile among other ingenious young artists.

The Art Exhibition featured talk show and poetry reading even as the Curator, Hon. Ikem Uzoezie noted that the essence of the exhibition was to denote the changes which has been introduced into human society by the pandemic.

Hon Uzoezie further said that people never thought that a time would come when they would live apart each other and doing things more virtually as at the moment.
He maintained that the exhibition was geared at re-awakening the spirit and artistry hidden in Anambra State and Igbo Land, as people over time have engaged themselves in partying without proper reflection of their purpose in life.

He expressed optimism to partner with more artists for a bigger art fare exhibition in future, adding that some of the works on display have stayed for two to three decades and described himself as lover of nature due to inner peace it comes with.
He praised the art works titled ‘unexpected changes’ carried out by Valentine Okwei, saying that he was inspired by what the artist had been able to achieve for himself. He noted that Okwei’s style of work made him to encourage the young man’s creative innovation for more work to be produced. He said further that the encouragement necessitated the exhibition.
He noted that there were lots of foreign patronage which Nigeria as nation can enjoy if more investment was made in the field of Arts and regretted that people still associate artifacts to dark powers thereby dissociating themselves to its promotion. The former Anambra Lawmaker maintained that Africa as a continent has beautiful cultures and traditions that can be promoted and brought to timeline through arts.

He described art as an infinite project as no specific monetary value attached to any art work can quantify the artist imitation and innovation, saying that no artist can let go of his piece of work without placing a value on it.

In his remarks, the Member Representing Nnewi North in Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon. Nnoso Smart Okafor, disclosed that art represents peace, happiness and helps to brighten one’s imaginations. He said that the right investment in the field of art from government and private institutions can go a long way to encourage young artists to excel.
He observed further that there have been a boom of art display around various junctions and bus stops in Awka and maintained that such display of art works was demeaning, even as he opined that sponsorship from either the government or private sector can bring the artists together for an art fare to enable them grow. He said that art work has the capacity of making Anambrians more peaceful, more welcoming, happier and possess the tendency of boosting the economy.

One of the artists with about 16 works on display, Valentine Okwei, said he was excited having his works exhibited and expressed optimism that the exhibition will enable him learn more in order to attain a higher height.

He said that hosting his exhibition was a dream come through and appreciated the encouragement which he had received from good spirited individuals.
He believed that young artists that took part in the exhibition will learn how to grow better and recalled that he became interested in art through the motivation he received from his Mother through the exposure he had from her scratches and purchase of his works by the father after his return from London in 1992.