partners
National Gallery of Art, Nigeria.
Art Galleries Association of Nigeria (AGAN)
PRESS RELEASE by nga.
The 2011 edition of International ArtExpo, Lagos has graciously come. The event which has witnessed many postponement owed its existence to the honourable Minister, Federal ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke’s approval and the untiring efforts of the Director General, National Gallery of art, Dr Abdullahi Sabo Muku, the project champion at the NGA, Mr Simon Ikpakronyi and the collaborating teams from the Art Gallery Association of Nigerian (AGAN) members who are hell bent that the annual event must hold, against all odds.
The Director General, National Gallery of Art, (NGA) Dr Abdullahi S. Muku said that many people were uncertain that it will come up.
‘It is a reality’, he said this in his office while briefing news men.
Dr Abdullahi said that this singular act has further demonstrated that by working together, a lot can be achieved.
The DG, also said that this year’s edition of the event is meant to bring out the best of our artists, put together by the collaboration between NGA and AGAN. With the successful packaging of the previous editions, we cannot afford to perform below expectation. The annual event will continue to show case private galleries, within and outside Nigeria; the best of modern art-works which will be displayed professionally for members of the public, art lovers, collectors and enthusiasts to view, appreciate and buy.
It is, therefore, a big market for visual artists in Africa as the exposition will create a market for modern African art works, expose entrepreneurs to the international market as well as create a platform for cultural exchange between Africa and the rest of the world.
He went further to assure the general public that we shall continue to improve the quality and the content of the programme.
In the three previous editions, Muku said that the brochures have provided written materials that are not only useful for the teaching of art in schools, but also assist stakeholders in the running of the business of art. It is no exaggeration that many gallery owners have improved on the running of their galleries through some of these materials.
“This year’s edition of the event is meant to bring out the best of our artists, put together by the collaboration between NGA and AGAN. With the successful packaging of the previous editions, we cannot afford to perform below expectation. The annual event will continue to show case private galleries, within and outside Nigeria; the best of modern art-works which will be displayed professionally for members of the public, art lovers, collectors and enthusiasts to view, appreciate and buy” he said.
The 2011 International ArtExpo, Lagos, will feature two International galleries alongside Nigerian galleries. These are Medjeva Ayeva Art Gallery from Lome, Togo and Midy Art Gallery, Cotonou, Benin Republic.
The DG, NGA said that he is imploring AGAN, that apart from collaborating with NGA in an Expo of this magnitude, they should also go into collaboration with other relevant agencies to organise different programmes that will impact positively on the artists.
In the same vein, he urged other art associations to take a cue from this collaborative venture, between AGAN and NGA for the benefit of Nigerian and African artists in particular.
We are inviting stakeholders, art enthusiasts and collectors to come on board and join hands together so as to lift Nigerian visual art sub-sector to its place of pride in the league of world cultural ventures.
Agbaje-Williams, Olushola
Assistant Director
Media/Public Relations