Lovers of art, on Thursday, July 13, 2023, converged at the Cornelius Adepegba Museum of Africa Art (CAMAA), Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan (UI), at the opening of Quazeem Animashaun’s exhibition tagged, ‘Twenti Tiri’.
The exhibition featured Animashaun’s colourful paintings, which he calls Pop Art.
Declaring the exhibition open, the chairman of the occasion, former UI VC, Professor Abel Idowu Olayinka, pointed out that the venue of the exhibition has shown commitment to promoting African art and culture, as well as modern and contemporary Nigerian art by consistently hosting numerous prestigious exhibitions.
Noting the importance of Pop Art, in his speech, Olayinka stated, “We come together today to celebrate the vibrant and captivating world of Pop Art—a movement that has redefined the boundaries of artistic expression. Pop Art emerged in the mid-20th century, challenging traditional conventions by embracing popular culture, mass media, and consumerism as subjects and inspirations for artistic creation. It transformed everyday objects, icons, and imagery into powerful works of art that captivate our senses and provoke contemplation.”
“Despite its origins in the Western world, pop art has gained global traction and found resonance in various regions, including Africa, where it has been embraced as Afro-pop art. Acclaimed artists such as Yinka Shonibare, Wole Lagunju, and Oluwole Omofemi from Ibadan, Nigeria have notably popularized this artistic movement. Notably, Omofemi was commissioned by Tatler magazine to create a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, believed to be her final painting before her passing in September 2022. Furthermore, the transformative artistic endeavors of El Anatsui, a Ghanaian/Nigerian sculptor from the Nsukka art school, have garnered widespread recognition for his ability to create captivating, large-scale installations using ordinary everyday materials”, he added.
Lauding the ingenuity of the artist, the former VC said, “As we pay tribute to the extraordinary talent and artistic vision of Quazeem Aimasahun today, we should also acknowledge the path he is pursuing alongside other young artists who, through their innovative approaches and cultural commentary, are a great shot at reshaping the Nigerian art world. Quazeem’s work shows dedication, creativity, and an unwavering commitment.”
Also speaking at the event, the curator of CAMAA, Professor Ohioma Pogoson, who expressed his delight at the turnout at the exhibition, urged the Nigerian government to look at the way of art which, if properly funded, could generate huge revenue for the nation.
Also calling on the nation’s Premier University to invest in works of art, Pogoson was grateful to the friends; artists, and collectors that crowd-funded the exhibition, saying, “You have shown that the love of art surpasses all and that a worthy person deserves attention.”
The ‘Twenti Tiri’ Pop artist, Animashaun, is a native of Kwara State but was born and raised in Ibadan. Quazeem’s artistic path started throughout his formative years in primary and secondary school, where he identified his love for the arts. He sought out additional schooling and mentoring at prestigious institutions like Topfat Art Gallery, B. J. Aremu Studio, and E. A. S Studio to hone his abilities. He developed his artistic skills and allowed his special talent to bloom under the guidance of renowned artists Duke Asidere and Segun Adejumo. His academic credentials include an OND (Ordinary National Diploma) in Art from the Polytechnic of Ibadan, which gave him a solid grounding in artistic theory and practice.
