ETHNO-LUCENT: An Overview ______________________
For clarity, the word “ethno-lucent” does not exist in any language dictionary but has the potential to be a highlighting element of an ethnic group, especially those who are at the verge of extinction. The word is a deliberate attempt to find something that can easily describe the vibrancy and highlighted qualities of a group of people sharing the same identity. It simply explains that the human self-assessment, in relation to their ethnicity may be underestimated, adequate or inflated.
Ethno is a Greek word used in reference to people or cultural group. The word lucent, was first used in the 15th century A.D as a characteristic of something that glows with light and provide clarity.
Ethno-lucent is the title of an exhibition of paintings by Stephen Binos, holding at Cyprain Ekwensi Centre for Arts and Culture, Abuja from 19th to 21st June 2021. The exhibition is his first solo appearance which showcases the creative energy of emerging contemporary visual artist interested in using art, as a means of investigating socio-cultural issues. The works on display are carefully curated by an emerging contemporary art historian and critic whose focus is to draw attention on ethnic minorities, extinction and suppression of cultural practices that are tied to our value system as a nation. Discussions, dialogues and documents supporting this view are selected and presented by experienced scholars drawn from the diverse fabrics of Nigeria’s creative, educational, political, economic and religious system. The overall theme of the exhibition as reflected on the title, is crafted to shade light on ethnicity.
The elements and motifs that represent the images on display, are drawn from the Adamawa enclave of Northeastern traditions and cultures of Nigeria, some of which may not be available in the next twenty years if something drastic is not done to preserve, protect and document them.
ROWLAND GOYIT
Using oil on canvas to paint landscapes of ordinary men, women and children is not extraordinary or something we have not seen before. However, the images in this painting have their own stories, they are their heroes, the central character… they have their own tales of struggles, hope, resilience and it will not be fair, if we ignore or discredit their plight. Failing to acknowledge and highlight their concerns, will lead to a denial to accord them a place in a history, one that should be told in the future.
By presenting everyday characters through artistic endeavour, the exhibition seeks to create a spotlight on issues affecting cultural sustainability especially in Adamawa State where the artist has an ancestral home. He has lived and interacted with the people at different periods of time. His images give us a glimpse of what the traditional and cultural landscape has become.
The works pay homage to the artistic styles of great modern Nigeria art masters like Aina Onabolu whose figurative drawings of landscape and portraiture meet the European mimetic realism standard. Some of his works remained to this day the finest naturalistic portrait paintings of contemporary Nigerian art. Ben Ewonwu’s awareness of the culture of his people, no doubt, influenced the nature of his art which enforced the synthesis of art and culture in Nigeria. Akinola Lasekan’s persistent advocacy of naturalistic painting attained its height of significance when young and promising Nigerian artists from the Nigerian College of Arts, Science and Technology formulated an ideology of “Natural Synthesis”. The ideology preaches the adoption of experiences in modernity while maintaining the best of Nigerian culture. The artistic prowess and collective contributions of these masters, opened a portal of interest and freedom of creative expression especially in the cultures and traditions of modern Nigeria through art education.
The powerful and poignant paintings on display in this exhibition stimulate a dialogue on cultural identity while
challenging historical and cultural prejudices that lead to the marginalization of certain segments of the society. Discussions that investigates cultural attitudes towards women and children calls for a vibrant depiction of their realities.
THE ARTIST
The driving concepts of the exhibition are unity and dialogue, to create a conversation surrounding the art and cultural representation.
Binos Stephen hails from Adamawa State, North- East Nigeria. He started his artistic journey as a painter from the Ahmadu Bello University, home to the most popular art movement in modern Nigeria. He graduated in 2010 with a B.A in Fine Art and served at the National Gallery of Arts, Abuja, during his NYSC By this affiliation, he shares the values and creative approach that gave impetus to these great institutions. He has a Masters of Arts in Art Practice from the University of Glamorgan, South Wales and has participated in various local and international group exhibitions.
Stephen works mostly with oil on canvas and has dabbled into other mediums and material approach. His flair for photography has been a great influence in the appearance of his work.
His paintings demonstrate a creative sensitivity and commitment to the social condition in Nigeria. In his view, the art practice is a revolutionary situation that leads one to the retrieval of essences.
THE WORKS
The dancers from Fali nation are a tribe of Mubi Local Govt in Adamawa North. Their costume is rich and beautifully crafted Their feather-like headgears spreads when they jump, they wore a colorful cross belt on their chest and a big inflated trouser
Artist: Stephen Binos. Title: Fali Dance Troupe. Size: 42cm x 44cm. Date: 2021with conspicuous details. They performed a routine Fali tribal dance with great energy and movement. This painting captures the energy and beauty with vibrant colours and aggressive brush strokes on canvas.
Artist: Stephen Binos. Title: Canary Goni. Size: 42cm x 44cm. Date: 2021
Canary Goni are the official Yandang cultural dance troupe that performs in and around Adamawa State. The Yandang tribe are found in Mayo Belwa Local Government and some part of Taraba state. Their signature cream coloured check attire is called
Lantang, while the dancers sang and danced in circles, the skillful drummers (Sanka, Vinhin) and horn blowers make beautiful rhythm in the middle. The names of the Yandang clans and villages appear on the painting to elaborate and highlight their significance
Artist: Stephen Binos. Title: The Kinsmen (Bwatiye). Size: 42cm x 44cm. Date: 2021
The famous Bachama traditional dancers from Mayo Belwa Local Government, represent a long history of loyalty to a unique monarch system. The dancers present a gift of a spear and a set of bow and arrows sent by the Bachama king whenever they perform This painting is attribute to a kingdom of farmers, fishers, and hunters
Guyuk is a Local Government dominated by the Lunguda people in Adamawa South and parts of Gombe State. The people are predominantly farmers and believed to have originated from the Middle East. They identify themselves as "Nunguraya", which
Artist: Stephen Binos. Title: Rhythm of Guyuk. Size: 42cm x 44cm. Date: 2021can be translated to mean interwoven or interconnected. A people of one enclave. As a result of their oneness there existed a form of defense pact among all the various villages. These defense pacts are believed to have kept the Lunguda people consistently undefeated throughout the era of inter tribal warfare. This painting uses rapid aggressive brush strokes suggesting energy and strength to depicts the dancers (all men) performing a beautiful war liked cultural dance with their unique costumes and carrying locally made tools and weapons.
Artist: Stephen Binos. Title: Rhythm of Kpasham. Size: 42cm x 44cm. Date: 2021
Kpasham is a village in Demsa Local government where Nyesam is spoken as a language. Nyesam has been an underdescribed language and is on the verge of extinction.and traditional music. The passion the drummers made music with was second to none, each playing a different set of drums harmoniously, it was beautiful to watch and listen to. This painting explores Nigeria’s linguistic diversity and wealth by emphasizing the rhythm of an endangered language.
Artist: Stephen Binos. Title: Circumcision Rite. Size: 42cm x 44cm. Date: 2021
Sona Boys from Mayo Belwa Local Government Area of Adamawa State constitute a group of young boys who are initiated into the traditional male society A theatrical routine dance herald their emergence from a circumcision rite camp where they have been for a number of days and undergo circumcision before graduating from childhood into manhood. They wear a tough
aggressive look which gives a feeling of what they have been through. They are beautiful dressed in beads bracelets and each carrying a horn on their waist, and head gear made with horns that suggest masculinity This painting reenacts the significance of cultural and traditional rites in grooming generations for future tasks.
Artist: Stephen Binos. Title: Hunters Association. Size: 42cm x 44cm. Date: 2020
The North East hunters’ association which is also called Kungiyar Maharba in hausa have been outstanding in hunting for games as a means of survival, and the persistent fight against insurgencies, insecurity and violence in the region. Their in-depth knowledge
of the Adamawa Plateau has helped in uncovering dens of criminals and bandits. In this painting, the two men lying down with locally made guns in the bush orchestrated a typical hunting activity. Their interesting head gear is made from the skull of a Crane, some of which no longer exist The painting is a deliberate attempt to pay homage to the contribution of this group of hunters.
Artist: Stephen Binos. Title: Vigilante. Size: 42cm x 44cm. Date: 2021
The young boys on horses depicts an age long security system practiced by communities in most Chadic African societies. The Vigilante in Bare, a village in Numan Local Government of Adamawa State, are mostly young boys saddled with the responsibility of securing the people and dignitaries at large gatherings. They share an impressive relationship with their horses, and have a mutual respect from the people they protect.
Artist: Stephen Binos. Title: Borrong Scout. Size: 42cm x 44cm. Date: 2021
Borrong is home to the Mbula people located in Demsa Local Government of Adamawa State. Borrong Scout is an Mbula traditional advance guard comprising of young boys riding on horses, bearing spears, bows and arrows. The gather information about impending threats and notify the community. They are used as the search and rescue group during clashes with killer herdsmen and other security concerns. This painting investigates the contribution of young people as agents of who are creating a better world for their communities.
Artist: Stephen Binos. Title: The Lonely Bare Road. Size: 42cm x 44cm. Date: 2021
During one of his tour to Bare Village in Numan, the artist and his crew lost their way in a lonely bare road, a group of young men suddenly appeared on horses with bows and arrows and escorted them to the village. The artist described the experience as “a race between the cars we came in and the horses”. The young men are the local security or vigilante in the village. Their security consciousness has helped in repelling attacks by killer herdsmen in the past. This painting is a reminder of the nee
Artist: Stephen Binos. Title: Sunset at Ganye. Size: 42cm x 44cm. Date: 2021
Ganye Local Government is home of the Chamba people. This work captures a typical evening of golden sky and beautiful sun setting behind one of numerous Adamawa mountains, the landscape is saturated with people returning to their homes. The scenery resonates a feeling of grassroot nostalgia and a horizon of hope .
Artist: Stephen Binos. Title: Adornment. Size: 42cm x 44cm. Date: 2019
The intense, shy and innocent stare of this young Fulani girls in Demsa Local Government, is a subtle reminder of the practice of child marriage is which is still prevalent among the nomadic Kanuri tribe. Their colourful dresses (modjaare) and body adornment creates an intricate pattern of beauty deliberately used to express modesty. Most of them have markings on their faces around their eyes and mouths that they were given as children.
Artist: Stephen Binos. Title: Innocence. Size: 42cm x 44cm. Date: 2021
This little girl sitting between a pole and her mother; as a shield protecting her from the dangers of child abuse and other social evils, conjures an imagery of uncertainty, calm and fear, especially where female children are viewed as an additional burden on family resources. The expression on the girl’s face reverberates with innocence.
Jada Local Government is also home to the Chamba people of Adamawa State. The harmattan season usually comes with thick dusty covering and boys bask in it from head to toe, their dry lips betray a pang of hunger. They have no care about how they looked or what is happening around them but a quest to survive the day. This painting composition is a sad reminder of the reality of how children are left to fend for themselves.
Artist: Stephen Binos. Title: The Harmattan Boys. Size: 42cm x 44cm. Date: 2021