An artist reflects on his past, societal ills in The Route

WOLE Agboola’s ongoing exhibition at the Cornelius Adepegba Museum of African Art (CAMAA), Institute of African Studies (IAS), University of Ibadan reveals the inner workings of an average artist.

The artist’s paintings focus on his past, as well as issues bedeviling the Nigerian society.

With the title, The Route, Agboola is taking art lovers on a journey through his past, while lamenting incidences of defilement, rape, as well as the challenges facing Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in various camps across the country.

With his work, Agboola uses his artistic energy to draw the attention of Nigerians to the tough times the country is going through despite the abundant resources it is blessed with.

The curator of the exhibition, Professor Ohioma Pogoson, of the IAS, said the paintings by Agboola resulted from his life experiences.

Professor Pogoson said Agboola used his creativity to express his frustrations about the situation of things in the country, especially as regards issues of child defilement, and the challenges facing the IDPs.

In his remarks, the chairman on the occasion, Dr Wale Okediran, said that the country was increasingly beginning to focus on cultural and creative industries as potential contributors to economic growth and job creation.

Dr Okediran, while speaking on The Role of Cultural Industries in National Development, said the creative industries were also a potentially important contributor to social cohesion and nation building through the promotion of intercultural dialogue, understanding and collaboration.

The former president of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) also explained that the various steps being taken by government to improve the lot of artists should be commended.

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Dr Okediran appreciated the efforts of the artists, among others who are trying to use the arts, culture and design to improve the economy.

“The arts, culture and design strategy is not the only requirement for promoting prosperity, but when coupled with other strategies, the three can provide a competitive edge for the country,” Dr Okediran said.

Paintings like The Displaced, The Deprived (acrylic on partly burnt wood,), Peace is Here (water colour on card), among others, focus on the pain people displaced from the conflict in Northern Nigeria are experiencing on a daily basis.

Agboola also highlights the high rate of defilement and rape cases prevalent in the country at the moment with the painting, Their Plight, Our Concern (soil and acrylic on canvas).

His time in the Eastern part of the country during his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme also features in his paintings with Memories from the East 1 (gouache on card) and Memories from the East 11 (acrylic on canvas).

In his brief remarks, Agboola appreciated the Institute of African Studies for the opportunity given to him to showcase his works.

He said the paintings were thoughts and memories that went through his mind at one time or the other during his years on earth.

“Every painting has a reason behind it, and I am glad that the IAS gave me the opportunity to pour out my soul to art lovers,” Agboola said.