KR8V WHERE NIGERIAN CREATIVES FIND A VOICE
Celebrating International women’s day
ISSUE 1 MARCH 2021
WINNING THE BEST WAY!
Onyinye Ezennia (Zennia) IN THIS ISSUE SPOTLIGHT ON IWALEWA GALLERY -PG 7
ART HUB 360 LEKKI HOSTS INTERNATIONAL GROUP EXHIBITION (PICTURES) -PG 7
YABA ART MUSEUM - A HOPE REKINDLED PG 6
FIREBOY DML WINS BIG AT THE HEADIES 2021 -PG 6
KR8V TALENT | 1SSUE 1 PG 2
CONTRIBUTORS
About the Editor Olumide Omololu, MNIM is a Nigerian designer and art enthusiast.
Miwan
Youtuber and content creator
He is a painting graduate of the Yaba College of technology (Class of 2008) and winner of the International Advocacy contest (Vi-tee Design contest)
DIana Umo
He is an alumnus of Simon Page Business School. He has vast experience in brand and marketing communications and has worked in some of Nigeria’s leading creative agencies.
Arts & content writer
Olumide is a professional manager and a member of the Nigerian Institute of Management.
Micheal Fashakin Artist & educationist
Editors Note
Kr8v talent is a publication designed to foster the growth and appreciation of the arts in Nigeria, and to celebrate creative individuals making an impact in redefining the art industry in Nigeria.
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elcome to the maiden edition of Kr8V talent, A project aimed at giving creatives a voice while
promoting the enormous talent in the Nigerian visual and creative arts landscape. With this project we hope to awaken a new consciousness and appreciation of the arts and its practioners and to establish a community of individuals committed to repositioning the image of the Nigerian art industry. This issue promises to whet your appetite for all that we have in store, In celebrating the International women’s day, we are kicking off with a Nigerian female artist - Onyinye
Contact: 8 Providence Street, Lekki, Lagos. E: kr8vtalent@gmail.com T: 0808 008 9098
Ezennia (Zennia) and a special message she has for women plus more.
Olumide
KR8V TALENT | 1SSUE 1 PG 3
Suffering and Smiling String Art Nails, thread (string) on board 36 x 28 inches 2018
he work titled Suffering and smiling
WINNING THE “BEST” WAY Discover Zennia’s threads
won 3rd place at the #BestArtMonth 2020 competition organized by a leading beverage brand-BEST and curated by the Nike art gallery Lagos. It’s creator, Onyinye Ezennia (Zennia) is a Nigerian string artist....
KR8V TALENT | 1SSUE 1 PG 4
COVER STORY
She also expresses herself through social/
as she fights to raise her voice and stand up
documentary photography, serigraphy, while
for herself despite her struggles.
focusing on giving voice to those who are
The interwoven bright colourful layers of
often unheard, mostly vulnerable women and children as she delves into contemporary issues.
face yet in pain to encourage us to be and do our best, though nails may connote pain but
On what message she’s passing through the work, She says “It portrays those silently in pain putting on smile even though they want to cry.” This
threads on nails was used to form the smiling
work
we face everything to rise. On how she felt being a finalist and finishing 3rd place, She said. I feel so good
and
encouraged to be considered a winner. I'm highlights
the
myriads
of
challenges facing womanhood as portrayed with the dripping threads. These challenges could be cultural, political, financial, marital and religious, whatever it may be there's hope
grateful to all that made it happen. We at KR8V Talent celebrate Zennia and all women accross the globe. Happy International Women’s Day
in horizon as portrayed with her steady gaze
"When I pick up my board, nails, hammer, and threads to string, I understand that ideas, emotions, feelings and concepts formed from diverse experiences will engage lots of minds trying to make meaning out of life. I use string to connect lines across time and space". - Zennia
Conception Installation 39 x 44 inches 2021
Onyinye Ezennia (Zennia) +234 703 068 3939 @Zennia Art
@zennia_art
studio@onyinyeezennia.com
KR8V TALENT | 1SSUE 1 PG 5
OPINION
Arts and the Pandemic (Pt.1) By Fashakin A. Michael
C
oronavirus aka Covid 19, the talk of all towns
centres were left unproductive.
made a rude entry into our planet to effect a
Finance to any creative person is the fuel needed in
change; a lasting change in the way live
order to cover a great distance. The art sector and artists
generally. The effect of this change is evident in the way
need funds to create and bring to bear the creative
we eat, drink, relate with people; in terms of exchanging
thoughts, but this was impeded as medicine has taken
pleasantries, visitation, congregating, our mode of
a larger proportion of the available resources.
dressing, how we handle ailments and in fact the arts and culture sector.
The ban on travelling at the peak of the pandemic took
The art industry was not left out by the scourge as it is
its toll on creative exchange programs in the arts.
known that art defines the people and their way of
During the lock down, many artists withdrew into their
doing things, the arts practitioners are products of their
various studios/homes, those in developed nations who
environment and available resources.
had access to the internet had most things needed
The pandemic has its positive as well as the negative
delivered to them through different means, while their
effects on the arts and culture industry/institution.
counterparts in developing nations remained indoor
Statistics gathered in 2017 on Arts and Cultural
with limited resources and inability to explore, coupled
Production Satellite Account
with the fear of being effected by the virus, many ended
(ACPSA), through a partnership between the Bureau of
up brain-drained.
Economic Analysis and the National Endowment for the Arts in the US shows that arts and culture
Amidst
contribute 4.5% of the annual national GDP through
Coronavirus has afforded the art and artists some great
direct economic activity and 3.4% of the total work force.
opportunities to explore new ideas and materials. As
many
downsides
of
the
pandemic,
the
many creative people got locked up within their various As funding of the creative sector is being drastically
space, they were left with little or no options than to
reduced
make do with what they could find within their
or
completely
withdrawn
due
to
the
pandemic, artists, 50% of whom are self employed were
immediate environment.
left to solely cater for financial needs, healthcare, amongst many other needs. Recreational activities were also put in hold, which means artists whose livelihood depend on those
TO BE CONTINUED
KR8V TALENT | 1SSUE 1 PG 6
NEWS/LIFESTYLE
CINEMA SHED REVIEWS NAMASTE WAHALA By MIWAN (www.cinemashed.com) amaste Wahala follows the love story of an Indian man, Raj (Ruslaan Mumtaz), and a Nigerian lady, Didi (Ini Dima-Okojie) as they fight tribalism and cultural stigmas to prove that love indeed conquers all.
Debut director Hamisha Daryani Ahuja tried to create
FIREBOY WINS BIG AT HEADIES 2021
a movie that would appeal to romance lovers, and
By Diana Umo
though the movie may have achieved that, for those that don’t care what they consume as long as the main
characters
end
up
together,
the
story,
inger, Fireboy DML was the biggest winner at the Nigeria’s top music awards - The Headies on Sunday, 21st of February, taking home with him four awards.
progression, and development of the characters was a far cry, and was very way off the mark.
YABA ART MUSEUM- A HOPE REKINDLED!
The love story between Didi and Raj felt non-existent because the movie relied
A
great void has been filled in the arts ecosystem through the launch of the Yaba Art Museum in November 2020
tribalism
The event held at the Yusuf Grillo Auditorium, Rector of the
mess of Didi’s father and
college, Engr. Obafemi Omokungbe, who described the
Raj’s mother being against
museum as the first of its kind, acknowledged that the
the union. And that in itself was messy because Didi’s
college had produced great artists and lauded their
mother in a constant flux of “okay with it now and very
contributions towards the realisation of the art museum
against it later,” which didn’t quite complement the
project.
progression of the movie in the end.
“The Art Museum will serve both cultural and education
heavily
on
the
For a movie that told the story of two characters in love
space for both researchers and learners,” he said.
and fighting culture to be together, Didi and Raj’s
He expressed appreciation to the Ford Foundation for
on-screen chemistry was very non-existent. At many
support and award of $100,000 for the project.
points during the movie, they quarrelled and bickered
“I thank Professor Paul Nwulu, Ford Foundation Senior
between themselves and didn’t quite sell the “we are
Programme Officer, Dr. Mac-Ikemenjina, Programme
in love” story to the audience.
Officer and Ms Joy Ehinor-Ezezobor, Grant Manager of Ford Foundation West Africa,” Omokungbe added.
Culled from https://yabatech.edu.ng
purposes, with the intent to teach, train and be a resource
KR8V TALENT | 1SSUE 1 PG 7
NEWS/LIFESTYLE
SPOTLIGHT
IWALEWA GALLERY: NESTING NIGERIA’S CULTURAL HERITAGE Iwalewa Gallery of Art is a diverse range of human activities in creating visual, auditory or performing artifacts (artworks), expressing the author’s imaginative or technical skill intended to be appreciated for their
internationally. With ancestral roots in Osun State,
beauty or emotional power. Iwalewa Art gallery displays
within their immediate environment.
beauty in form of sculptures, paintings, motifs, collages
Femi Williams’ gallery has four branches; one in Benin
and more. It is situated in a serene environment that
and three in Lagos. He has done a Sequel of both solo
breeds peace.
and Group Art Exhibitions, featuring Artists from within
The gallery is owned by Femi Williams born to Professor
and outside of Nigeria. He considers art to be an
and Mrs C.A Williams. His father was a renowned Print
equalizer, regardless of race, religion and culture. He
Maker and Textile designer, retired from University of
describes his nature as eclectic and his art as eccentric.
Benin
who
achieved
recognition
BEING TOGETHER:
locally
and
Chevy view estate, 8 Dr. Chimezie Street, Chevron Drive, Lekki
Art hub360 Lekki exhibition in pictures
Fast rising art gallery in lekki opened its doors to art lovers with its maiden art exhibition titledBeing together. The group exhibition showed a variety of artforms (Mixed media, paintings and sculptures) from 24 local and international artists, the show was held between February 13th -28th 2021
©Instagram/Arthub360
Novare mall, Sangotedo
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KR8V TALENT | 1SSUE 1 PG 9
LISTINGS
A gallery of authentic Nigerian artworks and crafts
Seun Ademefun Victim Acrylic on canvas 2.5 x 2.5ft 2018 NGN200,000 07089255499
Olubankole Olabode Kill the Indian, save the man Oil on canvas 36 x 36 inches 2020 IG@olubankoleolabode
Crafts Village African Handcrafted Floral Soup Bowl Height –8cm, Diameter – 16cm Ceramic and Fabric Web -craftsvillage.com.ng
Chidimma Nwafor Who cares Oil on canvas 3ft x 2.5ft 2020 IG@chidimmanwafor_art
Unique Clovers Concept Handcrafted Bag Medium sizes Fabric IG @uniquecloversconcept
Seun Ademefun Lady Acrylic on canvas 17 x 23 inches 2020 NGN100,000 07089255499
Steven Aragbada Dignity of woman 1 Acrylic, charcoal on canvas Size: N/A 2020 IG@aragbadasteven
Crafts Village Handcrafted African Coffee Mugs Diameter and Depth: 10cm x10cm. Ceramic and Fabric Web -craftsvillage.com.ng
Praise Esinulo Power Tussle Oil on canvas 27 x 37 inches 2020 IG@_prayzconcepts
O’nath Signatures Handcrafted necklace Fabric and stainless steel IG@o_nathsignatures
Omololu.O Bullish 2 Paperprint, Acrylic on canvas 6” x 25.5” 2020 IG@olujeans
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