Why Nwagbara, Uzoma, Raji, Salako, others are called the future masters

The second edition of Generations – Future Masters’ exhibition will open on Saturday, June 30 at Mydrim Gallery, 74B Norman Williams Street S.W. Ikoyi, Lagos, Nigeria by 4 pm.

This was made known by the director of the gallery, Sinmidele Adesanya, through a written statement; presented by Hannah Oghene, during a press preview at the gallery in Lagos today. The exhibition of paintings is organised by Mydrim Gallery and will run till Saturday, July 14, 2018.

It will feature works by Emeka Nwagbara, Chinedu Uzoma, Damilola Opedun, Ezekiel Osifeso, Olajide Salako, Olufemi Oyewole, Oluwafunke Oladimeji, Segun Fagorusi and Raji Mohammed.

“This exhibition of Future Masters showcases the beautiful paintings of nine creative and talented artists, carefully selected and mentored by Mr Abiodun Olaku a renown Nigerian artist who is also working hard at maintaining high standards of professionalism in the practice of the visual arts in Nigeria,” said Adesanya

According to her, for the past twenty-five years they have organised exhibitions aimed at reviving sound art practice based on firm foundational principles of observation, creativity, skill and draughtsmanship.

“In recent times there has been a trend in the visual art circles for the promotion of art that does not place any particular emphasis on the foundational principles of art enumerated above. These forms of artworks have received publicity through social media and other aggressive promotion platforms. Although this form may gather momentum and become established over time, it will be a disservice to place more value, economic and otherwise on this than the work of deeply talented artists. The danger in allowing this to happen will be an eventual lowering of standards. We therefore organised the annual exhibition titled Generations - Future Masters Series to celebrate and promote artists who have resolved to maintain these true and well tested foundational principles of sound art practice against all odds.”

Mydrim Gallery recently celebrated twelve masters of the Nigerian visual arts in an exhibition titled THE MASTERS held to commemorate her 25th anniversary. “These Masters through their doggedness paved the way for future generations of artists who today are well recognized, enjoy a high profile and are adequately compensated financially.
“This is a very interesting exhibition and we have no doubt that this group of artists will be among Nigeria's future masters who will also be celebrated .We advise that you invest in their works as they will certainly be a great store of value.

Present at the preview were Segun Fagorusi, Oluwafunke Oladimeji, Chinedu Uzoma, Ezekiel Osifeso, Emeka Nwagbara and Raji Mohammed.