The Director-General, of the National Gallery of Art (NGA), Mr Ebeten Ivara, has urged Nigerians to always patronise artworks for artists to survive in the mercantile world.
Ivara, represented by Mr Henry Achugbu, Director of Finance and Administration, NGA, gave the advice at the seventh edition of the National Visual Art competition award ceremony in Abuja on Tuesday.
According to him, the programme is designed to acknowledge and reward the creative ingenuity of visual artists at primary, secondary, tertiary and professional levels.
Ivara said that through the programme, many budding artists had been discovered and nurtured to stardom.
“We are approaching the programme from another perspective, bringing to the front burner the pivotal role of art galleries in packaging, promotion, marketing and sales of artworks.
”I dare say that while artists spend hours creating those beautiful drawings, paintings, sculptural pieces and other interesting art works , they need an avenue to showcase them for the public to view, appreciate and most especially acquire.
“It is therefore, a deliberate plan by NGA to openly celebrate art galleries in this year’s edition of National Visual Arts Competition, starting from Federal Capital Territory, Abuja,” he said.
Mrs Jafiya Shehu, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Information and Culture applauded NGA for providing a veritable platform that encouraged and rewarded professionalism among private galleries.
Shehu, represented by Mr Festus Ojieh, Deputy Director, Festival of Carnival at the ministry also commended the agency for supporting visual artists.
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She called for subsequent editions that would continue to accommodate more private galleries.
Also, Mr Muhammad Sulaiman, the President, Society of Nigerians Artists (SNA) in his goodwill message commended NGA’s management for putting together a national visual competition for various categories of participants from primary to professional artists.
Sulaiman, also chairman of the occasion said that competition was designed to empower artists and encourage them to develop their creative skills.
Mr Li Xuda, Cultural Counsellor, Embassy of People’s Republic of China in his goodwill message congratulated the winners for participating in the competition aimed at showcasing creativity of Nigerian artists.
Xuda said that Nigeria’s young generation had a lot to offer because they have beautiful drawings and art works.
He added that Nigeria and China have rich cultural heritage that would make them known globally.
Orisun Arts Centre emerged the winner of the competition with a cash prize of N750,000.
SNA emerged second position with a cash prize of N500,000 and Matrix Gallery of Contemporary Art took the third position with a cash prize of N300,000.
Mr Buki Ponle, Managing Director, NAN, Mr Balarabe Ilelah, Director -General, Nigeria Broadcasting Commission, Alhaji Adedayo Thomas, Executive Director, National Film and Video Censor Board were among dignitaries at the event.
