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Okundaye Lauds Korean Cultural Centre’s Support for Arts, Culture
Mama Nike (second from left) flanked by the Nigerian artists and their host, during the visit in South Korea, recently.
By Justina Uzo
Founder of the biggest art galleries in West Africa, Chief Nike Okundaye, who is also known as Mama Nike, has commended Korean Cultural Center, Abuja for promoting cultural exchange programmes between Nigeria and South Korea.
She urged for deep friendship and cultural cooperation between the two countries in order to deliver long-term value for everybody involved. Okundaye who is regarded as adire (textile) queen is just back from South Korea on a visit arranged by the Korean Cultural Centre. She was full of love for the Korean people and their jaw-dropping galleries.
The lover of art and culture shared her unforgettable experiences while celebrating what makes South Korea tick. She said the young people in Korea are trying to make positive difference through art.
Mama Nike said Korea is steeped in rich culture, boasts delicious food, efficient public transport among other offerings that endear the Asian country to tourists.
“Korea is a beautiful country. The people are very friendly. The people have food. In fact, our hosts even tried to finish us with food. Korea has good food and nice flowers. I love Korea,” she said. Adding: “Most important, they don’t joke with art. Do you know Korea has an art gallery just for women?”
Mama Nike was accompanied by two Nigerian artists to Korea for the week-long visit which included tours to important tourist sites in one of the Asian tigers.
Okundaye said the young artists, Mr. Uzoma Anyanwu and Omovo Odupitan Ayoola, were there in order for them to take advantage of the exposure as they visited their counterparts in Korea and shared ideas and industry experiences.
Okundaye said it was important, explaining that it was part of her resolve to assist young artists.
” I make sure I invite young people in my industry to travel with me whenever the opportunity arises. It gives them the exposure, and they love the gesture. Young artists are the future,” she noted.
Their itineraries while in South Korea included visits to Gallery Hyundai, Seoul and Busan. Busan is South Korea’s second most populous city after Seoul and boasts gorgeous gallery villages and museums.
Gallery Hyundai, Seoul is one the interesting places. Apart from Hyundai vehicles like Elantra and Sonata are manufactured in the company, the car company features an art gallery which we explored and enjoyed. A popular artist, John Pai, was the exhibition artist of the day at the time the visiting Nigerian artists were at the Gallery Hyundai. His works are described as “gorgeous.”
Mama Nike, who hinted that a lot of people visit Nike Art Gallery in Abuja, Lagos, Osogbo or Ogidi-Ijimu in Kogi State, is beyond excited meeting new people. She told the story of the making of her Korean tour.
“We receive lots of visitors coming to Nike Art Gallery warmly. When one Mr. Kim Young visited us here in Lekki (Lagos), he said he was impressed. We said ‘ekabo’ (welcome). We are happy to receive visitors and we make them feel at home. Some of them come again. Tourists want to see our food and how we dress too. Initially, Kim involved me as ‘ambassador’ when he was promoting Korea 2030. Later we were introduced to Korean Cultural Centre in Abuja.”
Similarly, one of the artists on the trip, Uzoma Anyanwu, spoke on the successful cultural exchange. He said he loves Korea. “We had unforgettable memories. We shared experiences with our counterparts in South Korea. The trip was beautiful. Despite the differences in our (Nigeria’s) culture and Korea’s culture, we were able to have sweet memories. We learnt so much about the Korean people and their way of life.”
The Koreans, according to him, love Mama Nike. While thanking the groups and individuals that were involved to make the tour successful, Okundaye said “We believe the cultural exchanges will continue to inspire artists both young and old.”
