At Mydrim, ‘Generations’ of Future Master Series opens

Moses Damilola's painting titled How not to kill a monument

In his relentless efforts at mentoring young artists, Abiodun Olaku, in collaboration with Ikoyi, Lagos-based Mydrim Gallery, will from today, Saturday show eight artists in a debut titled Future Masters Series-Generation.
The exhibition which continues for another two weeks, according to Olaku is crucial in creating more platforms for younger generation of artists.
Exhibiting artists include
Emeka Nwagbara, Segun Fagorusi, Oyewole Olufemi, Opedun Moses Damilola, Olufunke Oladimeji, Ezekiel Osifeso, Salako Olajide Peters and Chinedu Uzoma. Each artist has about 10 works to show
 .
“Art is becoming more expansive, and with this progression, we have some major and unending dialogues on what art should be, especially with new terminologies coming up," Olaku stated. "Often times, the debate is contentious, which has a gross effect on the mentality of the younger ones who are still quite impressionable.”

 Statement from some of the exhibiting artists:
For Nwagbara, the theme speaks about new generation that would take over the space of art in Nigeria. One of his works ‘Executive Lobby,’ according to him, was inspired in 2012 at a hotel lobby in Lagos, with a particular scene fascinating him. He admitted that getting the background right was difficult and it took him several years to complete.
 
Damilola: “The curator chose us, and I believe, because he knows we are competent to fulfill a purpose when it comes to art practice in the coming years." He explained his work ‘How not to kill a monument’ as a painting about the old Olaiya building of Portuguese architecture relics which was demolished recently. 
Fagorusi said he likes to document traditional scenes of real people and activities, noting, “I schooled in Ile-Ife and growing up in Ibadan exposed me to a lot of traditional scenes that fascinated me so much. I learnt about the talking drum and, over the years, I developed interest in our music and tradition.
Olufemi: he loves traditional landscape that speaks about the true nature of the people, pointing out, “I love classical music; I have been working with oil but recently, I decided to try charcoal just to move outside my comfort zone."


Director of Mydrim Gallery, Mrs. Sinmidele Adesanya, who has kept the business running for 25 years, appreciated Olaku for his effort in trying to sanitise the art industry. She, however, pointed out that discussions have been going on in recent times on what constitutes contemporary art in the market and how it should be approached.