Bruce Onobrakpeya, Kolade Oshinowo and twenty six artistes are set to showcase their works at the maiden edition of the Queen Moremi Art Exhibition to be organized by Alexis Galleries and the House of Oduduwa Foundation.
The exhibition with the theme: “View from the Masters”, would be in honour of the legendary Queen Moremi Ajasoro (QMA).
It would hold in June at Alexis Galleries, Victoria Island.
Another edition of the exhibition would also take place in London, New York, Dubai and Lebanon.
Speaking at a media briefing, the ambassador for Queen Moremi Ajasoro Initiative, Princess Ronke Ademiluyi, said that the exhibition was initiated to keep the legacy of Queen Moremi Ajasoro alive.
“Her story is that of leadership and what makes it unique is that she was a woman who took a bold step to save children and women.
“She was a sacrificial leader willing to give everything up for her children and followers,” she said.
Also at the briefing was Patty Chidiac-Mastrogiannis, the founder and the director of Alexis Galleries.
She said that the Ooni, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, would lead others to appreciate the works of the 28 artistes at the exhibition.
“The Ooni will be present to open the exhibition because the show belongs to his legacy.
“Ooni is interested in the story of Queen Moremi Ajasoro because it encourages selfless leadership,” the director said.
She also said that it was a one of its kind exhibition in Nigeria.
“The story of Moremi Ajasoro will be told through visual arts and this will assist us to tell the great story of whom she was.”
She said that Alexis Galleries believed in giving back to the society and that part of the proceeds from the exhibition would go to an NGO of the Ooni’s choice in Ile-Ife.
“Part of the remaining proceeds will also go to young artistes in the Fine Arts Department of the Obafemi Awolowo University, who are struggling to pay their tuitions,” she said.
Other artistes present at the media briefing expressed gladness that they would be part of the exhibition.
They said that they were looking forward to seeing more of such exhibitions because such would help to tell stories of people with heroic deedse better.
Gerry Nnumbia, an artiste, said that visual arts projected messages stronger than any other form of art.
“A piece of art, when visualized tells a permanent story which resonates in our mind.
“It could have been dramatized or sung, but its effect will never be like that of visual arts,” he said.
Another artiste, Sam Ovraiti, said that visual artistes saw things differently based on their thought process and imagination.
“Creativity grows with new ideas and inspiration. I will be looking at Queen Moremi Ajasoro from the aspect of the woman in contemporary times.
He called on leaders in the country to emulate Queen Moremi Ajasoro, who during her lifetime; stood out for the sake of generations unborn.
“We want to show our society that there is a need for good and selfless leadership. There is the need to concentrate on the reason for the exhibition itself which is selfless leadership,” Ovraiti said.
Some of the artistes that would showcase their art works at the exhibition are: renowned painter and sculptor, Bruce Onobrakpeya, Kolade Oshinowo, Reuben Ugbine, Chinwe Uwatse, Sam Ovraiti, Gerry Nnumbia, Ayo Arinze, Bunmi Babatunde, amongst others.
