By Tajudeen Sowole
Debate over creation of the
universe or evolution may have been louder in faiths and science, compared to
other views, but artist, Promise O'nali introduces visual narratives into the
issue.
One of the works by Promise O'Nali |
And to further detached his art analysis on
the creation of the universe from being tainted, he disclosed that his race as
a black man or national as Nigerian is irrelevant. "I see myself as an
artist, not a Nigerian or African artist so that I take all the arguments in
proper balance."
Part of his analysis as viewed via the
paintings and other mixed media works explain the artist's view of
"evolution as forming the state of energy to matter." One of the
works titled Gala Dilemma, he explained "is about the earth
harnessing oxygen, nitrogen, but in a dilemma situation." While explaining
his research, he artist in O'nali gradually gave way to a deeper scientific
detailing such that the art exhibition preview suddenly turned into a
conference on aeronautics and space exploration. Indeed, the artist's claim
that he researched the science of creation, just for the purpose of the body of
work seemed like an understatement. He must have been coming from a background
in science. "I was actually curious about science long time ago seeing the
environmental devastation going at in the Niger Delta," he disclosed.
On another work titled Noon Genesis,
O'nali argued that as much as information technology has done so much to
change, rapidly too, the way man communicates, -in such a short period over the
last two decades - the next age is on "concepts." At this point, his
work appeared to be dragging art and aesthetics as vital contents of creativity
in the debate over creation or evolution. While faith-based beliefs and scientific
theories have fogged the place of art in the creation of the universe, the next
age of the contents that would shape the world is aesthetics or design, he
stressed. The artist noted that
currently, across the field of science and technology, "aesthetics
and designs are pushing the mind's ability to the limits." He cited
examples of machines, particularly automobiles, arguing that emphasis is hardly
on the functionality. "Design and aesthetics are the major factors that
sell cars these days."
O'nali, according to Moses Ohiomokhare,
curator ( Quintessence, had, in 2010 exhibited City of Refuge, a solo show (
CEW Gardens, Port Harcourts, Rives State.
The curator described O'nali's Life's
Trajectory as "an inspiration an inspiration from works of the Creator of
mankind." He argued that "art was the last act of our Creator"
and has been "a great toll of communicating among peoples of the
world."
Among group exhibitions of O'Nali are Expositions
(2003), Salt of the Earth (2004), Images of Africa,(2004) and
Dance of the Lyrical Lines (2005) all in Enugu.
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