ART WORKS AND THE MESSAGE THEY BEAR

The Osun Priest

By Nnabugwu Chizoba

Dear reader, it is a fact that you may not know what the object in the picture actually means in terms of what it indeed represents, the message it bears or carries, as well as the source of the message, and as a matter of fact who the real targets of the message are, but one thing is sure, you know what art works are when you see them. 

Poor or in some cases outright lack of knowledge and understanding of the message contained in art works is not something surprising, and therefore not out of place. Indeed it is common and a regular feature in the modern world.

Poor or lack of understanding of the story carried by art works is not limited or traceable to any individual, particular community, state or nation. It is not out of place for anyone to come across an art work, such as the carved object the picture of which is attached to this post. Others may be painted objects, drawings and sculptured works. 

Towards ensuring a change of narrative with regard to improving on the above identified challenge, Scoreline has fashioned a reliable approach or means of bridging the long existing and already identified gap. 

In view of the above, Scoreline has created the opportunity for public enlightenment about art works, using her Platform. This aspect of the Platform is targeted at raising value chain opportunities, so as to create a shift that will open-up the economic space, throw-up new job creation and wealth generation activities to empower the people.

Scoreline, in collaboration with different Artists in the Culture and Creative industry will be working together to close the existing gap in the industry. Efforts have been made, conclusions reached and decision taken to present from time to time, weekends especially: Fridays through Sundays, art inspired narratives, insights and stories, as told by artists, art collectors, historians and educators. The aged, archaeologists and custodians of heritage and historical sites, and other lovers of traditions and cultures in the society, will also lead the discussions at a point. 

For a start, the first insight, in the series of publications that this Platform will lead, the reader will be presented with. This publication is focused mainly on opening the discourse. Creating a connection between the reading public and the artists, and by extension the art works are the public are central to this forum of the platform. 

The picture attached to this post, will be the focus of the first presentation. The art work represented by the picture is the “Osun Priest”. Mr Akinyemi Alamu, known in the arts World as “Yemi”, the name he signs will be offering the narrative.