African culture in focus as 2019 Glo-sponsored Onitsha Ofala begins with Arts Exhibition

The imitation of life and culture by arts came to the fore again as activities marking the 2019 edition of the Globacom-backed Ofala commenced on Wednesday evening with the Oreze International Arts Exhibition.

The exhibition which enlivened the Onitsha Ime Obi, the palace of the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, is parading notable artists and artworks from across the world.

Welcoming guests while flagging the exhibition, the Special Guest of Honour, Professor Frank Ugiomo, who is also a lecturer at the Department of Arts, University of Port Harcourt, described the assemblage of artworks as "a mark of distinction", adding that he had followed the arts exhibition with keen interest over the years.

Professor Ugiomo, who praised the organisers of the exhibition, advised visual arts enthusiasts and collectors who would be visiting the exhibition galleries to "take in the essence of the exhibition which goes beyond the pictorial to become a reminder of who we are as a people and a race".

"The work of art constitutes the remnant of self. Interacting with the work of art is interacting with oneself. The work of art should speak to us as a people and as such, the essence of this exhibition is for us not to lose our being. I must therefore praise the Agbogidi, the organisers of the Oreze International Arts Exhibition, and the sponsors, Globacom, for consistently using this forum to remind us of who we are", he added.

In his special remarks, the initiator of the exhibition, the Obi of Onitsha, said that, "our aim for introducing Oreze International Arts Exhibition is to bring the world to Onitsha and take Onitsha to the world through visual arts".

 He added that "Modern day visual arts started from Onitsha. The essence of Oreze is to preserve our culture through visual arts and continue what our forefathers did". 

Fielding questions from journalists after the opening ceremony, Globacom's Regional Activation Manager, South East 2, Mr. Noel Udeme, explained that the company embraced the idea of the exhibition seven years ago in order to help in projecting African culture to the world.

He added that "Globacom, has been supporting the Oreze International Arts Exhibition since 2013 when it was first introduced because we believe that only Africans can promote African cultures. We will continue to support our cultural heritage so that generations to come will find reason to be proud of being Black and value our cultures, world view and heritage."

Mr. Udeme announced that Globacom will be empowering Onitsha people with new tricycles, popularly known as keke, and LED television sets which will be given out at the Azu Ofala on Saturday.

Dignitaries at the opening ceremony of the exhibition included Professor Chijioke Onuorah, a sculptor from University of Nigeria, Nsukka; Mr. Onyi Atuoma, President, Onitsha Indigenous Artists; Mr. George Edozie, the curator of the exhibition, and palace chiefs. The exhibition, which has attracted over 200 artists from Nigeria and the Diaspora, will end on October 13.