Art community deepens OYASAF scholars' missions

Ahead of the conclusion of researches by two Omoba Yemisi Adedoyin Shyllon Foundation (OYASAF) fellowship grantees, Amanda Hellman of Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S and Erin Rice from University of Bern, Switzerland, the Lagos art community had an interactive session with the visitors.

Amanda Hellman, Yemisi Shyllon and Erin Rice

PHOTO BY: OYASAF DOCUMENTARY PHOTOGRAPHER, OGUNTIMEHIN ARIYO

 While Hellman and Rice gave separate reports of their works, responses from the audience offered the visiting scholars more info into the dynamics of the country’s art, particularly in areas that may help enrich the researches.

Amanda is working on what she themes The Intersection between Museum Development and Modern Art in Nigeria as well as researches one of the two pioneers of Nigerian modern art, Akinola Lasekan. Rice focuses The Architecture of Identity: Textiles and Impermanence in the Construction of Art and Space in Nigeria and Ghana.

  Inside the OYASAF Conference, on Wednesday, June 13, 2012, participants at the interactive section included artists such as Kolade Oshinowo, Olu Amoda, Dr Peju Layiwola, Kunle Adeyemi, Oliver Enwonwu, Ato Arinze as well as art connoisseurs and enthusiasts.

  Art writers and journalists such as Ozolua Uhakheme, Tajudeen Sowole, Chuka Nnabuife, Okechukwu Uwazuoke, Melinda Akinlami, Chioma Okpara, among others also participated.

Hellman, Chief Mrs Funmilayo Shyllon, Yemisi Shyllon, Rice and artists, art journalists, art enthusiasts, shortly after the interactive session.

PHOTO BY: OYASAF DOCUMENTARY PHOTOGRAPHER, OGUNTIMEHIN ARIYO

  In contributions from the participants which touched areas such as the background of the National Museum, Onikan, Lagos, attitude of Nigerians' museum going culture, role of Akinola Lasekan in Nigerian contemporary art and new use of textile by artists, Amanda and Erin, hoped to expand their research to cover as many areas as suggested.

  The founder of OYASAF, Prince Yemisi Shyllon stated that the grantees' visit to Nigeria stresses the organisation’s commitment to expand the knowledge-base of of the world about Nigerian art. He also disclosed that Hellman and Rice would proceed to visit art resource centres such as Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan, Oyo State, and various art studios and traditional sites in Osogbo, Osun State.