A prominent Nigerian-born creative visual artist, Elcarver Rotimi Agbola, is currently holding a solo exhibition on the theme “Art &Mind” at the Alliance Franco Gambienne (AFG). Officially launched last Friday, the 20-day grand exhibition is aimed at promoting African tradition and cultural heritage and by extension encouraging co-artists not to relent in their field of talent.

Speaking at the launch ceremony, the Director of AFG, Jean Mitchel Kauffmann, said he is glad to host Elcarver Rotimi Agbola’s art exhibition.

He said: “Rotimi is in the tradition of the famous Yoruba artists like Chief Seven Seven or Jimoh Buraimoh, which attest the vitality of a very indigenous artistic creation. Rotimi Agbola is the same very creative artist and his numerous works are so colourful and very typical of the traditional Yoruba inspiration.” According to the AFG boss, his institution is proud to contribute towards the promotion of the African arts.

“As you may know I’ve been for long very fond of all the African art production in the fields of visual arts as well as music and dance. I have a great feeling for mbalax or Mandika music and often commune with Jola dances. As well I do keep in touch with my fellows’ painters and sculptors. That’s why the Alliance Franco Gambienne is continuously supporting the annual event called ‘Art From The Gambia’ aimed at promoting the high quality visual production.”

For his part, Elcarver Rotimi Agbola gave a graphic detail about his background. He said: “I was born to the art family and grew up in cultural environment - I had a moderate educational background which has contributed immensely to my ability to continue in art up to the present moment, in collaboration with my brother named Collins Oluwole who is a teacher. We jointly launched a gallery known as Elcarver Arts Gallery in a town called Osogbo in Nigeria in 1986.”

Highlighting the theme of the exhibition, the Nigerian-born artist said that “art and mind” has much to reckon with, adding: “Arts depicts the traditions and culture of our communities and its environment and the ‘Mind’ means the soul and the body in which it resides.” According to him, appreciation of art in African culture is different from that of other continents.
“In Africa, art is more functional than decorative. Art works in African philosophy are absolute in themselves, as they are considered eternal and transcending human evaluation. In African philosophy, art is an absolute product of the creative ‘mind’ and also the mirror of the societies and the individuals who produce and use them.”
For him, to be a good artist, one must be natural. “That is to say being able to transfer from the brain to a conscious or visual idea,” he said.

He further states: “ The life of an artist is not an easy one in some African countries where little or no aid is given to promote and project their work.

“More should be done to encourage artists by the government and other agents. Visual or fine artists like writers have a history to tell on the screen or canvas of our rapidly changing and declining culture.
“We need help to at least record what we see, feel, and think so all may not be lost, and like a history book in times to come, the picture of what was will be revealed to those yet unborn.

“At our gallery we have workshops for those that have interest to learn arts training. We also offer free training for street children and orphans.

“I have been invited to preside over workshops in different countries across Africa to train students who came from America to learn some aspects of African arts such as Tie&Dye, Batik, African Crafts and lecture on deities etc.”