By Ekuson Nw’Ogbunka
A young artist, Miss Ifunanya Anunobi has given a vivid advise to the government at all levels to encourage Artwork in order to boost the Nigeria’s economy.
Anunobi, a graduate of History and International Studies from the UNIZIK, Awka, who has chosen to go into her talent, Artwork, addressed journalists recently in Abuja.
Making her points, she said that Artists, if encouraged would not only be self-employed, but also train many others who, according to her would be on their own, without depending on the government for employment.
Explaining why she ventured into the profession and abandoned her course from the university, the young Artist said: “I studied and graduated from History and Internation Studies from UNIZIK, Awka, my home town.
When I was 12 years only, I saw a cartoon and tried to draw a replica it, which I did, I then developed the habit of drawing whatever picture I saw and would show them to my parents and hid them under my bed. I wasn’t only doing it as a hubby, but as something to make myself happy with.”
She continued: “Motivated by my uncle, Ochendo Amichi, who doubles as the former Police Service Commission’s Chairman, Chief Simon Okeke, I then decided to go into full time Artwork after my youth service here in Abuja in 2021.
After seeing my Artwork, he said that I had talent in Artwork and suggested that I go into it, by saying that it is a talent from God. I then started to put more efforts in Artwork and from drawing, I went into paintings. So far, I have been able to express myself with my paintings.”
When asked if she were being coached by any expert, she said: “I get advice from some people, like the president of Society of Nigerian Artists (SNA), Mr Suleiman, concerning Arts. I do also talk to some Artist friends I met in Abuja here for guidance.
Before going into paintings, I met one artist in an exhibition, who gave some useful advice to me. What I do is that I usually think of what to do and start practicing it and the more I paint, the better it becomes,” adding that drawing and painting makes her happy.
“When I am painting, if they call me to come and eat, I will tell them that I am coming and by the time you know what is happening, the food has got cold and time has also passed,” explained.
When asked, if Artists usually come across something like brain case while in work, she said: “I have had an encounter like that, where you get so emotional, because for you to be a successful Artist, you have to imagine thing and be motivational.
“Most times, you have to be cracking your brain, you are thinking; you might disconnect yourself from reality sometimes.”
Although she said that she hasn’t been making a good living out of the profession as an upcoming Artist, but was quick to inform that she has started to plan a solo exhibition in Abuja, by going to the gallery to exhibit her Artworks. Through the upcoming exhibition, she added that she would use the it to let the world know that she is a full time Artist.
Asked if she has really abandoned her academic course for Artwork, she responded thus: “Yes, I can say that I have abandoned it, because this is a passion and talent and it gives me joy.
Although, I like what I studied in the university, but as you can see, my talent and the passion I have for it has overtaken what I studied in the university.”
When asked if she was being assisted by the government, having been able to come out with such beautiful Artworks, he stated: “I haven’t, but what I have been doing is participating in any competitions, if you are lucky, you get it, if you aren’t, you won’t. However, what I would like the government to do is to boost the market, because there isn’t market and it is affecting the upcoming artists.
“And if there is a competition, we won’t be able to participate, because most of us don’t have money to pay for a space in a gallery. Even if you are able to participate, most Nigerians would just come and look at the Artwork and go without buying any.
So to that, I urge Nigerians to buy and encourage Artwork, because it is an investment. The Artwork you bought at say N50 thousand can be sold at say N2 million in about four to five years time.
Reiterating why the government should come in to empower those in the profession, the young artist has this to say: “If empowered, we shall contribute immensely to the economy, in the areas of teaching and training people who will be on their own. By doing so, you have generated employments and the economy will be growing.
I want to inform you that when I was in school, I used to teach and train those who had interest in Artwork. So I advise Nigerians and the governments at all levels to encourage the Artwork, because it is an investment. As I said earlier, an Artwork you bought at N50,000 today, may be sold at about N2 million in about five years time.