Opinion

Dare Herald: Visual Art Promotes, Preserves Our Cultural Heritage

Published

1 year ago

November 23, 2023

Kokopelli International, an organisation which capitalises on intentional storytelling as an intervention across the globe, is set for “Parallel Passages”, a group exhibition featuring indigenous Nigerian artists. Set to be held at the Kokopelli Gallery, Ikoyi Lagos, from November 25 to December 23, 2023, the gallery’s Director, Dare Herald who maintains that visual art promotes and preserves cultural heritage, in this interview with MARY NNAH says the exhibition, curated to facilitate the discourse of comparisons between connecting stories will have Nigerian Artists who have mastered the Art of storytelling and work across mediums to tell true or fictional stories that would spark conversations and also cause a revelation

What role does visual art play in the Nigerian economy?

Visual Art maintains our cultural heritage, promoting and most importantly preserving it, which enhances national and regional identity.

Also concerning education and innovation generally, visual art has contributed a lot to the Nigerian economy in that regard. It is also a significant part of the creative industries, contributing to design, entertainment, advertising and a whole lot more. These industries generate economic value and employment opportunities.

What is your gallery doing to encourage young artists and also to sustain

the existing one?

We have some intervention programmes for emerging artists who may find it challenging to carve their voices and niches. We’ve crafted a system by which we can showcase their works to local and international audiences. And to sustain the existing ones, we always stretch out our hand in collaborations and partnerships, we simply design programs they individually fit into and approach them.

How would you rate the works of Nigerian artists compared to global

artists and their works?

Art is global, the principles are universal and to evaluate works of art is very subjective. It has to do with cultural vantage points, individual predilection, historical setting and exclusive references. Nigerian artists and artists in other parts of the world could approach art from different perspectives in the global art scene.

Comparing Nigerian artists to other artists around the world would involve acknowledging the variation in influences, themes, styles and experiences across regions. Artistic prowess is not by geographical boundaries, and the beauty of it on the scale of the global art community is the diversity.

So I’d rather not compare or rate against, but validate the global diversity of artistic voices which allows for a boost in the perspective on the world of art.

What do you think the Nigerian government should do to ensure that the talents and work of artists are sustained?

The Nigerian government should Invest in Art education: scholarships, workshops and the like.

Also, funding programs to support artists, residencies and exhibitions.

Nigeria needs more museums and public galleries, gosh! I can’t stress that enough. The government also need to protect intellectual properties and strengthen the laws guiding copyright.

Lastly, one of the most important things would be to promote cultural festivals. The government needs to showcase our heritage and tell our own stories. They need to employ people who know what they are doing to handle the different sectors that relate to art, culture and tourism to avoid having to tell the stories of foreign lands through the wrong channels as seen in the National Museum of Art in Lagos, which the park has been hijacked by the USA embassy, telling their stories.

As someone who has had the opportunity to relate with Nigerian visual artists, what will you say have been their major challenges?

High cost of materials: Art supplies have become alarmingly expensive. A lot of these artists can’t afford to buy these materials because of many factors, dollar rate, not being able to sell and more.

Lack of direction: a lot of them also don’t know what direction to take with their works, how to attract collectors and how to get into galleries. You’d find quite a number of them just trying everything out, for example, the advent of the black-art rave.

Copyright infringement: for established artists, a lot of times you find that their works have been replicated by others and this can be a source of discouragement Income security is, a steady source of income. As odd as it sounds, the market is getting highly saturated and a lot of these artists don’t make enough money to get by.

What are the plans for the Kokopelli Gallery?

More of our themed exhibitions, we want to create more of these experiences and imprint in the heart of our target audience what we stand for.

Representing more artists who align with the goals of the gallery’s Educational programmes and Artist residencies for example we have the OUT (Once Upon a Time) Convention and Residency where artists are going to be exposed to more materials and information needed to carve their niche and be more intentional about their callings for collaboration with Brands that align with the vision of the gallery and also more Interactive installations.

Tell us a bit about the forthcoming exhibition tagged, “Parallel Passages”

and why Kokopelli Gallery has chosen to be part of this exhibition.

The Parallel Passages Exhibition has been curated to facilitate the discourse of comparisons between connecting stories and we seek to amplify the concept of typologies. Typologies are known for organising and understanding different types or patterns within a specific context in various fields even as psychology, anthropology and theology.

In this not-so-usual exhibition, we will be having 8 Nigerian Artists who have mastered the Art of storytelling as is our culture in Kokopelli, 8 artists who work across mediums from painting to mixed media to sculpture and more to tell true or fictional stories that would spark conversations and also cause a revelation

What informed the theme, Parallel Passages?

Well, it’s more like an exegesis of typologies. In any literary work, parallel passages are those that mirror each other in content, structure, or meaning, giving breadth of view and foresight into the author’s intentions or highlighting its key concepts, and because we are curating the exhibition to explore the topic of identification of common traits or patterns and the exercise of connecting the dots.

What informed the choice of the artists that make up this group exhibition?

Well, as I said earlier, we always look out for Artists who have mastered the Art of storytelling as is our culture in Kokopelli4. Who are your target audience? Art lovers, enthusiasts, collectors, stakeholders, students, tourists and the like.

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Visual Art contributes to the growth of the Nigerian economy in many ways. I’d start with tourism, cities with vibrant Art scenes like Lagos, Benin and the like often attract visitors which has a ripple effect on the economy. Visual Art maintains our cultural heritage, promoting and most importantly preserving it, which enhances national and regional identity

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Opinion

Ondo monarch calls for tourism investment to boost Nigerian economy

Published

3 months ago

October 28, 2024

Lanre

Adeleke Adegbite-Adedoyin, Owa Ale of Ikareland, urges Nigerian leaders to prioritise tourism investment for economic growth and cultural preservation.

The Owa Ale of Ikareland, Adeleke Adegbite-Adedoyin, has called on Nigerian government leaders to strengthen the country’s tourism sector, highlighting its potential to drive economic growth.

Addressing attendees at the 2024 Olokemeji Tako-Tabo Festival in Ikare, Ondo State, he urged federal, state, and local governments to promote tourism as a sustainable source of employment and revenue generation.

Also read: Ondo Governor celebrates Ulefunta festival to drive economic growth

Speaking at the annual festival, which drew visitors from within Nigeria and abroad, the monarch underscored the economic and cultural benefits of tourism, describing festivals as vital for fostering local pride and identity.

“Our culture is our pride. Government support in tourism investment would not only generate revenue and employment but also enhance our economy,” he remarked.

The Olokemeji Tako-Tabo Hill, the festival’s focus, holds cultural and historical significance as a symbol of resilience and protection for the Ikare people, dating back to times of inter-tribal conflict.

The monarch lamented that Nigeria often overlooks its heritage in favour of Western influences, stressing that cultural preservation is essential for national identity.

Highlighting the growing interest in Yoruba cultural festivals, he praised the community’s dedication to revitalising local heritage, which he said was evident in the large turnout and enthusiasm at this year’s festival.

A tourist, Peter Ijigbo, also spoke passionately about the cultural importance of such festivals. “Despite my faith as a Christian, this is our heritage, and we cannot turn our backs on it.

I visited last year, and this festival has always been a spiritual and cultural sanctuary for us,” he said.

The Olokemeji Tako-Tabo Festival and similar events in Nigeria offer promising avenues for both economic growth and cultural preservation.

With strategic investments and support, Nigeria’s tourism sector could serve as a significant pillar of the national economy, providing jobs, fostering community engagement, and celebrating the country’s diverse cultural heritage.

Opinion

Stakeholders urge sustainable tourism plans for Nigeria

Published

4 months ago

September 30, 2024

Lanre

At a World Tourism Day event in Abuja, stakeholders called for sustainable tourism plans to protect Nigeria’s natural and cultural resources, support local economies, and enhance visitor experiences. They stressed the importance of clean environments, such as Jabi Lake, to boost tourism and create economic opportunities, while minimising environmental harm.

Stakeholders in Nigeria have emphasised the need for sustainable tourism strategies to protect the country’s natural and cultural resources, boost local economies, and improve visitor experiences.

This call came during a press briefing held to commemorate World Tourism Day in Abuja, following a clean-up exercise at Jabi Lake.

Also read: Nigeria eyes N12.3 trillion tourism gains by 2032, 2.6 million jobs expected

The event was organised by the Eco Club, in collaboration with Jabi Boat Club, Jabi Mall, and Jabi Park.

World Tourism Day, observed annually on 27 September, highlights the significance of tourism and its social, cultural, political, and economic value.

The theme for 2024, *Tourism and Peace*, underscores the role of tourism in fostering global understanding and reconciliation.

Speaking at the event, Aisha Yusuf, Creative Director of Hayche Network and Senior Special Adviser on Sustainable and Accessible Tourism to the Executive Director of Tourism Volunteer Network, advocated for sustainable solutions to maintain tourism in Nigeria.

“We need to create awareness about sustainable tourism and take ownership of keeping our environment clean,” she stated, calling for both individual and government action to protect destinations like Jabi Lake.

Omoefe Tawiyah, Managing Director of Platinum X Media and organiser of *Abuja I Believe*, highlighted the economic benefits of a clean and well-maintained Jabi Lake, noting its potential to attract significant tourism investments.

He remarked, “If properly cleaned, Jabi Lake will become a key destination for tourists and boost the Federal Capital Territory’s economy.”

Phil Roberts, Executive Director of Tourism Volunteers Network, urged for turning Abuja into a tourism hub. He highlighted the need to enhance infrastructure tourism, which complements natural beauty by developing facilities that attract and sustain tourists.

“Abuja has numerous tourist sites, and Jabi Lake can become a major tourism destination with the right investment and infrastructure,” Roberts explained.

The speakers agreed that preserving the environment is essential for sustainable tourism growth, which can contribute to job creation, economic development, and peacebuilding.

Opinion

Nigeria’s 1,091 Tourist Sites Undergoing Revitalisation -Minister

Published

4 months ago

September 3, 2024

Lanre

Ms. Lola Ade -John, Minister of Tourism, has said that Nigeria has 1,091 tourist sites across the 36 States of the Federation, adding that many of these tourist sites are currently being revitalised.

Ade-John, who stated this at a pre-summit webinar in preparation for the 30th Nigerian Economic Summit (NES#30), organised by the Tourism and Hospitality Industries Thematic Group (THITG) of the Tourism, Hospitality, Entertainment, Creatives, Culture, and Sports Industries Policy Commission (THECCSPC) of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG),

highlighted the importance of domestic tourism to Nigeria’s future.

She noted that these notable sites include Obudu, Ogbunike, Osun-Osogbo Grove, Kajuru Castle, and Yankari Games Reserve, which are improving in terms of historic architecture, wildlife conservation, and ecotourism efforts.

She explained that the shifting of attention by the Federal Government to domestic tourism, would provide significant job opportunities for rural communities.

She noted that in 2022, the tourism sector contributed 17.3 billion Naira to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product(GDP), compared to 7.5% of GDP in France.

The minister further stated that Nigeria also hosts 814 festivals across 774 locations, offering rich cultural experiences.

Ade-John underscored the need for investment in domestic tourism to revitalise communities, spur entrepreneurship, and generate revenue, noting that the sector currently supports 1.9 million jobs but has significant growth potential.

In his welcome address, Mr. Udeme Ufot, Co-Chair of THECCSPC of NESG, emphasised that several factors have led Nigerians to favour domestic travel over international options since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ufot noted that safety and familiarity are key, as domestic destinations are perceived as safer due to better knowledge of local health and safety protocols.

He stated that reduced international mobility due to travel restrictions and global conflicts have made local destinations more accessible and convenient, noting that economic considerations also play a role; including the pandemic and political instability which have affected livelihoods, making domestic travel a more affordable option.

Ufot further expressed hope that the event would generate actionable recommendations to foster inclusive growth, potentially altering trade patterns, attracting investment and enhancing border stability across the continent.

During the panelists session, Mr. Folorunsho Coker, Director General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), spoke on the importance of public-private partnerships (PPP), community involvement, and sustainable funding models for promoting domestic tourism.

He noted that domestic tourism is six times the size of international tourism and is essential for addressing employment issues.

Mr. Obi Asika, Director General of the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), discussed the role of media, arts, and culture in developing domestic tourism.

He highlighted the need for collaboration between the public and private sectors to bridge capacity gaps and the importance of story-telling in attracting tourists.

Ms. Sade Hughes, Managing Director of MIXTA Hospitality Limited, emphasised the impact of innovative real estate and distinctive tourism experiences in revitalising domestic tourism.

She called for government investment in infrastructure and urged Nigerians to support local brands.

Ms. Bolaji Mustapha, President of the Nigeria Association of Tour Operators (NATOP), stressed the need for government support in policy and infrastructure to develop Nigeria’s tourism sector.

Ms. Adenike Macaulay, Chief Executive Officer of Wakanow, pointed out that the interconnection between music, art, and tourism and the importance of clearly defining tourism attractions to stimulate the economy.

Ms. Omoyemi Akerele, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Lagos Fashion Week and Style House Files, shared how they have redefined Nigeria’s tourism through fashion and enhanced Lagos nightlife, using fashion week as a tool for ecotourism.

The theme of the webinar was “Domestic Tourism: A Powerful Tool for Rural Revitalisation and Economic Growth in Nigeria.”