The Society of Nigerian Artists, Lagos Chapter in collaboration with Mydrim Gallery, Ikoyi and Omooba Yemisi Shyllon Art Foundation is raring for its annual exhibition tagged ‘October Rain’ with no less than 80 artists on board. Yinka Olatunbosun reports
One of the most anticipated shows in the art scene in Lagos, ‘October Rain’ is bound to shake the city with a varied collection of works from 80 participating artists. Art grandmasters such as the Nigerian-American painter and scholar, Prof. Dele Jegede; accomplished painter and the X-factor of the Yaba School, Kolade Oshinowo; leading modern art figure Abayomi Barber and the revered painter Abiodun Olaku are some of the artists whose works will be showcased at the Mydrim Gallery, Ikoyi from October 3.
With the theme, ‘Art as a Glorious Passion,’ this edition celebrates one of Nigeria’s most insatiable art collectors, Omooba Yemisi Shyllon. While explaining the rationale behind this choice to a handful of art journalists in Lagos last week, the Chairman, October Rain 2021 Planning Committee, Damola Adepoju revealed that collectors form an important part of the extended art family.
“Omooba Yemisi Shyllon’s passion for art and cultural promotion in Nigeria is legendary and enviable. This is evident in the thousands of wonderful art collection and in his numerous self-sponsored art projects of iconic importance,’’ he noted. Part of the legacies of the art patron is the newly established Shyllon Museum of Art at the Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos; OYASAF residencies and self-named awards for Best graduating art students in various institutions.
The SNA Lagos Chairman, Kolawole Olojo-Kosoko also hinted that in addition to the aforementioned grandmasters of art, masters and emerging artists will be featured at the ground and first floor of Mydrim Gallery.
“October Rain this year is going to be in two phases. We are going to have the exhibition which will celebrate Otunba Shyllon. We are also calling for papers which will transform into a conference on art patronage and related issues. Hopefully, before the end of the year, we are going to have a conference at the Omooba Yemisi Shyllon Museum in Ibeju Lekki. We need to move away from the tradition of just exhibiting. What we are trying to do is to create an avenue for people in the academics who do not have any works to exhibit to write. We hope to launch October Rain journal,’’ he revealed.
The exhibition which runs till October 16 will also give many female artists a voice. The Vice-Chairman, SNA Lagos, Ayoola Omovo disclosed this in her remarks at the press briefing.
“We want art galleries and everybody that is promoting the arts to be under the Society of Nigerian Arts and tell people that art has come to stay. Every company, home and institution needs to have an art piece. The environment needs to be changed. Our society needs to feel the beauty of the arts,’’ she said.
