Birthing Pat Oyelola's ‘Nigerian Artistry'

The presentation of Nigerian Artistry, a major new book by Pat Oyelola was held on February 27 at Bruce Onobrakpeya's Harmattan Workshop Gallery in Lagos.

The event commenced with the address of the chairman, Oladele Odimayo, who said, "I had only attended one book launch in the whole of my life," he said, making clear that he considers some books published in Nigeria to be "egocentric endeavours."

Praise for the book

He praised Oyelola's book as one which anyone associated with Nigeria would like to read. "I hope publishers will take it abroad and that the author will produce an abridged version for schools," Odimayo said.

Representing the Minister for Information and Communications, Dora Akunyili was Boma Kalaiwo, regional director of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria. A former student of the author, Kalaiwo said the Information Minister was proud of the effort Oyelola put into writing the book without being commissioned by anyone.

She said it was one of the upsides of the Ministry's rebranding programme and a sign of progress in our culture. Calling for a renewal of interest in Nigerian arts and culture, Kalaiwo condemned certain beliefs that symbols of our culture are a form of devil worship.

Kolade Mosuro of Mosuro Publishing, who brought out the book, told of how ‘Nigerian Artistry' came to be and the challenges both the outfit and Oyelola had to overcome to ensure a befitting book.

"A few years ago, Mrs. Oyelola came to see us about doing two books or at least one book from the manuscripts she had. I chose the Art book. We had never done a book on Art before. I know for a fact that there is a dearth of books on Nigerian Art. Therefore, there was a niche to be filled but one with plenty of challenge. An Art book poses a great challenge for content, placement and aesthetics. Art is a combination of skill, imagination and culture. Sometimes, we find art so glaringly around us that we fail to see it. Herein lies what I consider as the accomplishment of the author. I think she has captured Nigerian art in words and visuals and showed its richness, beauty and relevance in a society that is traditionally artistic."

Describing himself as a beneficiary of Oyelola's benevolent scholarship, Kunle Filani, artist and provost of the Federal College of Education, Abeokuta in Ogun State said this about the book, "For the first time in Nigeria, Oyelola, a pacesetter in contemporary history of visual culture added a new dimension to content analysis of books by exploring art beyond its product value. The title ‘Nigerian Artistry' is connotative of both the socialising process and the creative product of art. It has equally emphasised that there is the need for scholars who have deep knowledge and understanding of indigenous cultures to write on the arts of their people."

The review

Sola Olorunyomi, in his review, said, "Nigerian Artistry strikes one as art, memory and agency. The different genres and sub-genres of styles feed on one another, thereby serving as a constantly evolving aesthetic loop but also journeying back and forth in time."

Presenting the book to the audience, Odunayo Olagundoye said he'd never read a whole art book before but that this one made a difference. "As I would normally do, I'd just read a chapter or two to get an idea of what the book is about. I decided that in this particular book I would find an interesting chapter to read and of course I made straight for the chapter on wood carvings."

Other chapters in the book cover topics including coiffure, textiles, metal work, basket weaving, calabash decoration, pottery, pattern dyeing and beadwork.

Speaking further, Olagundoye said, "After reading that and gaining an insight into Lamidi Fakeye, I wanted to see how well it was researched and written, how easy it was to read and to understand. I went to the foreword by Onobrakpeya which in itself is really quite illuminating in regards to art. I find that this book actually told us a lot of things that we thought we knew about art. Artistic persons have been part of our culture and living for thousands of years.

"This book lays the fact before us in a readable, well-researched and artistic form. The book demonstrates the evolution of art and of the technology applied to make artistic objects and effects. A strong theme in this book is the continuity in our needs and experiences as humans. It also demonstrates our strong collective pedigree. It proves that we have been engaged in technology for thousands of years. This book will be useful on our coffee tables for the pleasure of guests and it will be in our libraries for reference or as resource for our families.

"I also suggest it'll be a great corporate gift and personal gift at Christmas. If by now you are not convinced that you should get a copy of this book, it means you have not been listening."

From the author's mouth

But first the audience had to hear from Oyelola herself. "This book is just the tip of the iceberg. For every chapter in this book, there are 100 books to be written." Encouraging Nigerian art scholars especially of the younger generation to begin to write on Nigerian art, she said, "People in other parts of the world snap up books about Nigerian art.

"Do not wait for anyone to drop a million dollars in your hands before you do something." She praised all those who made the book possible including her children; and the perseverance of her publishers. Oyelola was moved to tears when she mentioned her husband, who she called "the most important person in my life."

Guests at the event gradually picked up copies and formed a long queue to get the author's signature.

Amongst those present to praise and purchase Oyelola's work were host Mudiare Onobrakpeya of the Harmattan Gallery, president of Art Galleries Association of Nigeria Frank Okonta, lawyer and publisher Deji Sasegbon, Simon Ikpakronyi of the National Gallery of Art and Janet Stanley, librarian at the Smithsonian Museum of Art in Washington D.C.

As the book began its journey into the public realm, Mosuro's wish may just come true. "For every book that we do, I place it in the public's hand with a short prayer. May this book travel far and wide."