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Mrs Sinmidele Adesanya, Lanre
Olagoke, Joe Obiago, Nike Okundaiye, David Dale, Bruce Onobrakpeya, Sandra
Obiago and friend.
Faces at the private preview of the Masters
Exhibition, which took place on Wednesday, May 23, in Lagos. It was
organised by Mydrim Gallery and sponsored by Templars, a law firm.
|
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| Adesanya and her husband, Mr Bambo Adesanya; Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) |
For this particular initiative, Templars is pleased to collaborate with
Mydrim Gallery to host a private preview of the Masters Exhibition in
our Lagos office. This initiative is aimed at celebrating Nigerian art and the
work of those renowned artists who contributed immensely to the development of
visual art in Nigeria.”
The exhibition of paintings, sculptures, mixed media and bead works will
open on Sunday, June 3 to Monday and June 4, 2018, at the Desiderata, plot 5A,
Abuja Street, Banana Island, Foreshore Estate, Lagos Nigeria. And about
fifty-six works by Yusuf Grillo, El Anatsui, Abayomi Barber, Jimoh Akolo, David
Dale, Nike Davies-Okundaye, late Bisi Fakeye, Bruce Ononrakpeya, Kolade
Oshinowo, Muraina Oyelami, Jimoh Buraimoh and Gani Odutokun will be on view for
the public.
 |
| Mr and Mrs Adesanya, Okundaiye and the Managing Partner of Templars; Mr Oghogho Akpata |
Mydrim
Gallery is located at 74B, Norman Williams street, S.W. Ikoyi, Lagos, Nigeria. Established
by Sinmidele Adesanya in December 1992. She had a passion for
the fine arts and recognized the incredible talent of Nigerian artist.
Unfortunately, that time art was profession was generally not regarded as one
of of the noble professions and the society did not accord much importance to
the artists or their works.
 |
| Mrs Zaccheus and Mrs Johnson |
The objective of the gallery was to rectify this
anomaly and create a platform for educating Nigerians about the importance and
the value of art. The Gallery also sought to discover and promote new artists
and also to showcase the works or emerging and established artists.
 |
| Templars' clients and guests |
"It has been an extremely challenging journey, but
twenty-five later, Mydrim Gallery has contributed significantly to the
development of the visual arts in Nigeria. The promulgation of art as a great
store of value has been established and artists are now held in high esteem.
The works of Nigerian artists are now sought after all over the world.
"A Nigerian proverb says: A river that does not know
its source will soon run dry.” This exhibition is a display of the works of
twelve of Nigeria’s Masters, such thata art lovers, artists, and art students
know the source some of those artists’ who steered the course and remained
committed and focused to developing the visual arts in Nigeria in the face of
monumental challenges.
"They made the sacrifices for the present generation of
artists. Young artists today need to know the history of those who paved the
way for them. We celebrate them today. Finally, we would like to thank Templars
for the supporting our initiative by hosting and sponsoring the preview of the
Masters’ exhibition," said Adesanya.
For 25 years the gallery has organized 70 art
exhibitions and events, including a series of Nation-WIDE PUBLIC LECTURES on contemporary
arts and culture delivered by international speakers, and organized in
collaboration with renown art curator, Bisi Silva, operating as the Institute
of Visual Arts and Culture.
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| Adesanya with a guest |
It inaugurated the Living Masters exhibition in
2017, which was declared open by the Nobel laureate, Wole Soyinka. In 2010, on
behalf of the Lagos State government, Mydrim Gallery organised Nigeria at
Fifty, a photo exhibition for Nigeria’s 50th Independence
Anniversary. Mydrim Gallery remains at the forefront of providing art lovers in
Lagos and across the country an avenue to discover and acquire important and
collectable works of art by African artists. In 2015, Mydrim Gallery
represented Africa at the modern art sector of International Art Dubai Fair in
recognition of its involvement with art in Nigeria.
Mydrim Gallery collaborates with art centre Terra
Kulture as TKMG to organise an annual art auction for discerning collectors.
 |
Adesanya, Okundaiye and Mydrim staff
|
In January 2017 Adesanya curated the EKO ART
EXPO for Lagos State Government. Mydrim Gallery offers a range of services
including acquisitions, collection management, curatorial services and
advisory. For more than 25 years, Mydrim Gallery has remained a major player in
the Nigerian art industry with the keen oversight of Adesanya, who is
highly regarded for making art relevant and accessible to a contemporary
audience.
By Udemma Chukwuma
PHOTOS: Taiwo George Taylo
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