The roles of Art in the society cannot be stressed enough as it promotes cultural heritage and serve as an identity for any country.
Nigeria, no doubt, is known for a rich cultural art tradition that needs to be promoted and preserved for posterity and profit.
It was against this background that LYNO World in collaboration with the Lagos State NYSC Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) department held an Arts Exhibition tagged, “NYSC Camp Art Challenge.”
The exhibition which was the first in its series took place recently at the Lagos State orientation camp, Iyana-Ipaja, Lagos.
The event featured 18 contestants and celebrated Ms. Obiora Amaka Gloria, a graduate of Yaba College of Technology, School of Art Design and Printing as the best artists among other youth corps members that were deployed to Lagos State at the 2017 batch ‘B’ (stream 1).
Speaking at the event, Chief Executive Officer of LYNO World, Mr. Eyimiegha Seidougha Linus, said that the event was necessary as it would bring to light talented youths from across the country .
“This is a platform where talented emerging artists can be identified and promoted; it will not only result in exhibiting quality art works to the public, but will also be an opening that will propagate appreciation from the public.’’
The competition which was juried by the Society of Nigeria Artist, Lagos State chapter; Cartoonists’ Association of Nigeria and Yaba College of Technology, School of Art Design and Printing was graced by the State NYSC Coordinator, Prince Momoh Mohammed; Mrs. Rachel Idaewor- the head of SAED department, the Camp Director of 2017 Batch ‘B’ (stream 1), Mrs. Faniyi Belinda Ameze, and other staff of the NYSC Lagos State.
Also present were guests from the National Gallery of Art, Lagos State and the Lagos State Council of Art and Culture; the Curator of the National Gallery of Art, Lagos State was represented by Mr. James Itodo while the Director of the Lagos State Council of Art and Culture was represented by the Director of Design Arts Department Ajayi Oladele Lad.
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The highlight of the event was a life demonstration and illustration of Aremu Idowo Omotoyosi one of the corps members on camp that stood close to an hour as the model.
At the end of the illustration Obiora Amaka Gloria was announced winner based on the following criteria- resemblance in rendition, strength of the artist stroke and presentation of the overall drawing.
However, some corps members who were not contesting expressed themselves drawing and painting with little or no supervision.
Some of the contestant disclosed that they studied Law, Geology, Architecture, and other courses not related to the arts.
On his part, NYSC Camp Director, Mrs. Faniyi Belinda Ameze, encouraged the contestants by informing them that ‘art is not meant for only those who studied it, but for anyone passionate about expressing himself in making artistic creation.”
