THE FUTURE OF VISUAL ART
… as NGA showcases the artistic talent of Nigerian children
The International Children’s Day is annually commemorated by the National Gallery of Art with activities that promote the artistic talent of Nigeria’s teeming young and aspiring artists, discovering new talent among the nation’s younger generation and fostering interest and dedication to the growth of the visual art sub-sector.
In line with its mandate of sourcing for new talents with which to continually replenish the ub-sector for seamless growth and improvement, the NGA organized an exhibition of drawings, paintings, sculptures, mixed media, installations and other genres of Visual Art for school children drawn across primary and secondary schools within the six geo-political zones of the federation.
This year’s event was however a slight departure from the norm by its theme: Visual Art as Panacea for Economic Growth. By this, the NGA intended to project the role of art in economic growth and the indispensable role of creativity to the nation’s economic advancement. Bearing in mind, the economic challenges confronting the world today of which Nigeria is no exception, this year’s theme is quite apt and timely in drawing attention to what is most important to the nation and its masses.
With this pertinent objective in mind, the Director-General of NGA, Ahmed Sodangi reiterated in his speech, delivered on the occasion of the event’s grand finale that: “Visual Art is a vitally-important economic industry, generating revenue, creating jobs and developing communities.” The DG went on to assure the participating children that: “several resources are available which offer substantial research findings on visual art and economic development; from state-wide economic impact to grass-root levels.” He insisted that: “Visual Art is the sum of all the parts of the creative industries including trade, labour, production.”
The implications of the DG’s comments border on the fact that art is complete in itself; being both a medium of expression and a means of self-employment. As such, children are enabled to grow into useful citizens, contributing their quota to the betterment of society and by this means, curtailing the rampage of insecurity through business and employment.
The Educational Services Department of the NGA, ably led by Mrs. Anthonia Okonkwo worked along a laid-down blueprint for the International Children’s Day event which culminated on 27th May, 2024 at the Exihibition Pavilion, Abuja. This blueprint involved the previous organizing of art exhibitions for school children at NGA’s outstations in all states of the federation. From these exhibitions, winners with the best works of art emerged who represented their schools and states at the grand finale.
By this means, the department ensures that the best among the young talented children are encouraged to take up art as an undergraduate course with a view to making it a profession after graduation. The organisers recognized the fact that the great icons of Visual Art such as Pablo Picasso, Michaelangelo, Bruce Onobrakpeya and Nike Okundaye were once children and the great Artists of tomorrow abound among the teeming children that constitute the future generations of the nation, some of them among those who participated in this year’s competition. With guidance and confidence building, these children would be enabled to recognize and harness their innate talent of artistic expression and become the pride and joy of Nigeria, presenting a positive image of the nation to the world.