Yinka Olatunbosun
On July 21, the Belgian National Day Celebrations in Lagos reached a grand finale with a cocktail reception and the Old Masters By Future Masters art exhibition at Freedom Park, expertly curated by Bolaji and Sandra Alonge.
The grand opening served as a rostrum for art connoisseurs, offering a glimpse into the artistic journey that brought together 20 exceptional Nigerian artists for an intensive two-week workshop in Lagos. Facilitated by Prof. Wouter Steel (Belgium) and Dr. Bolaji Ogunwo (Nigeria), the workshop provided a lifetime experience, grounding European classical techniques in a Nigerian context.
Supported by the Legacy Arts Foundation (LAF) and The Osahon Okunbo Foundation (TOOF) in collaboration with the Belgian Embassy, the exhibition featured artists like Abimbola Sadiq, Adenike Adeshina, Adebayo Jude, Ambali Omotayo, Atiye Afolabi, Bankole Emmanuel, Clinton Juwon, Daniel Oruwhone, Deborah Ifechukwu, Ekhator Fernando, Faith Omole, James Hannah, Jayeola Joshua, Jennifer Ihezuoh, Joseph Ogbole, Kator O. Godstime, Kupoluyi Vanessa, Okhlulua Eromosele, Oluwaseun Akinlo and Sodiq Abiola.
Highlighting the long-term goal of the workshop that culminated in the exhibition, the curators stated: “We hope this workshop marks only the beginning—a first step towards deeper and sustained cultural collaboration between Belgium and Nigeria. In creating, connecting, and sharing across borders, we strengthen the bonds between our peoples and affirm the transformative power of art.”
In his goodwill message, Pieter Leenknegt, the Ambassador of Belgium to Nigeria, expressed his optimism that this new flame of connection between Belgium and Nigeria would form what is known as “Creative Confluence.”
He noted that the old masters and the future masters share “a clear gusto for human representation of the more festive kind, for pictorial bravery and three-dimensional suggestion.”
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