BY TAJUDEEN SOWOLE
THE painter
Biodun Omolayo is interested in art appreciation. Through this avenue, he hopes
to equip women with art skills.
Known as Sweet
Art, the programme, though not new, is gaining grounds among a lot of women.
Aimed
at honing the skills of ladies, especially those involved in creative works,
the programme, no doubts would boost art appreciation jåudging from the way his
‘students’ have embraced it.
Omolayo argues, “getting people involved in
art, particularly the lighter aspect of it, and in a relaxed, non-formal
setting boosts art appreciation.”
Some of the works at the Biodunomolayo
Gallery, National Museum, Onikan, Lagos, stress the enthusiasm expressed on
canvas by the participants.
Stating that the gains of this initiative have begun to manifest, he
explains: “One of the students, currently in the US called me to express her
gratitude. She narrated how art has made her an idol in a little community of
her host country.”
He notes that though the basic concept was
aimed at empowering women in creative skill, the art appreciation value, which
the ladies would bring onto the art landscape, is worth investing time and
energy. “It’s not just Biodunomolayo that benefits from this, but the entire
art community of today and future generations,” he enthuses.
Despite its informal setting, Omolayo is
instilling the regular disciplines of artists in his students.
 |
| Biodun Omolayo (left) showing one of his students the rudiment of painting |
For
some of the participants, catching up with the technicalities in moving paintbrush
and applying colours appear very rapid. One of them, the wife of an expatriate,
in such a short period of time is already rendering a self-portrait.
As a
full time studio artist and art gallery owner, Omolayo, over the years has
designed quite a number of programmes that boost art appreciation. These
include Celebrity Art Shows / Lead Art programme to honour art collectors.
He
describes the Celebrity Art show as,
“a special way to say ‘Thank you’ to the esteemed are collectors apart from expanding
the market as a whole.”
The show is organised to celebrate birthday,
marriage anniversaries and other special days of notable collectors. In some
cases, the celebrants are given opportunities to paint on canvas.
Personalities featured in past shows include
Mrs. Hilda Dei Sotinwa, on her 60th birthday; Insurance broker and Vice
Chairman / CEO of Insurance Brokers of Nigeria (IBN), Mr. Prosper Okpue; one of
Nigeria’s leading collectors, Engr. Yemisi Shyllon. On those occasions that Okupe and Shyllon
were involved in what went on the one-day painter’s event organised separately
were fun and instructive. For Okupe at 60, it was painting the Story of My Life, and also explains the
image to the delight of her guests.
Omolayo argues that the work of Okupe, though has kindergarten look, can be taken as a unique style and loaded with meaning. It was indeed an expression of self and creativity."
Omolayo argues that the work of Okupe, though has kindergarten look, can be taken as a unique style and loaded with meaning. It was indeed an expression of self and creativity."
And
when any of the events was that of age-group like the Art workshop for
children, Omolayo would infuse the celebrity or adult art factor. For example,
during the last Young @ Art Free
Children Day Workshop, there was an interactive session with art patron, Chief
Rasheed Gbadamosi and Nollywood
actress, Funke Akindele (a.k.a Jenifa). Both celebrities painted on canvas to
the delight of the children.
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