Interestingly, there are 10 artists featured for the group show, titled Reflections of Our Times, who seem to have been drawn from diverse generations and, possibly, backgrounds for a good reason.
The works of the artists: Imal Silva, Uchay Joel Chima, Ochewu Ali, Isaac Oluwatope, Eno Young, Michael Anyadike, Aisha Atta Ahmed, John Oyedemi, Olorunyemi Kolapo, and Ehinomen Okoeki, will remain on display at the Atrium Gallery, Foreign Affairs Ministry, Central Business District, Abuja, until September 30. This is after the official public opening on Wednesday, July 3, at 5:00pm.
This show, with its display of thought-inducing works — deftly curated by Nduwhite Ndubuisi Ahanonu — could be seen as an invitation to an introspective experience and to drink deeply from the fount of their experiences. As a result, it makes reasonable sense to describe it as a merging platform for art and contemplation.
With support from Mswitch and the International Institute for Creative Development (IICD), it has been skillfully orchestrated to spark conversation and reflection across cultural divides. Naturally, this goes hand in hand with the realisation that art actively captures the Zeitgeist, or spirit of a time, which encompasses the victories, tragedies, and anxieties of a generation and helps to understand the intricate dynamics that shape its worldview and lend credence to the assertion that art is not merely a passive recorder of time.
“Art is more than just a passive observer of time,” the Foreign Affairs Minister, Ambassador Yusuf M. Tuggar, corroborates. “It actively reflects the spirit of an era (Zeitgeist), encompassing our generation’s struggles, triumphs, and anxieties, giving us a better understanding of ourselves and the complex forces shaping our world.”
The minister acknowledges that art erupts as a potent catalyst, transcending mere aesthetics and shattering boundaries in a world where cultures merge and humanity unites. Art becomes a reflective tool, mirroring society’s truths and guiding us towards a radiant tomorrow. This show encapsulates the very heart of this transformative power. “Let these creations inspire your imagination, challenge your perspectives, and ignite a dialogue about our shared world,” he enthuses. “As we contemplate these artistic visions, may we rediscover the transformative power of art to change ourselves and the world around us.”
Reflections of Our Time seeks to immortalise the spirit of these times, suspending fleeting moments in a variety of enduring art forms. It is also a joyous tribute to life’s beauty and significance, a creative journey that sheds light on the fabric of everyday life, revealing both its simplicity and complexity. These collected moments, both monumental and mundane, will ultimately form the narrative of shared human experience, chronicling the yet-unwritten history of these times.
As humanity encounters diverse viewpoints in a rapidly changing world, we adapt and flourish. The unprecedented becomes the new standard. Our responses to these shifts shape our journey through life. Amid our daily discoveries and experiences, we must learn to embrace life’s contrasts — beauty and brutality — and find significance in the moments that define our humanity.